Etymology

Unknown. Suggested origins, none of which are accepted by mainstream lexicographers,^[1] include:

• from Romani^[2]mol ‎(“have value, be worth”)
• from Irish moll óir ‎(“heap of gold”)^[3] However, this is unlikely because of the difference in pronunciation.
• from French moulin ‎(“mill”)
• from Sanskrit मूल ‎(mūla, “capital, principal”)
• coined by Chuck Green, a friend of Damon Runyon^[4]

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmuː.lə/
• IPA^(key): /ˈmuːˌlɑː/
• Rhymes: -uːlə
• Rhymes: -uːlə(r) (in non-rhotic accents)