Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(a) a contemptuous term for a woman.

1881		‘’Arry on Fashion’ in Punch 10 Sept. 110/1: Lor’ bless yer, they don’t know the ropes, these old mivvies don’t, more than a mug.
1885		Isle of Wight Obs. 6 June 5/5: Yah booh chuck ’em here, you old mivvy.
1898		Binstead & Wells Pink ’Un and Pelican 244: J’yer, Jack, what’er yr done with yer bloomin’ mivvy?

(b) in fig. use, a complainer, a whiner, an ‘old woman’.

1879		‘’Arry on the Rail’ in Punch 13 Sept. 109/1: We put some old guys on the wax / [...] A fig for such mumchance old mivvies!
1883		‘’Arry on His Critics and Champions’ in Punch 14 Apr. 180/1: Nice sort of old mivvy he makes me. I’m ‘poor and ill-dressed,’ Charlie — me!
1891		‘’Arry on Wheels’ in Punch 7 May 217/2: There’s a lot of old mivvies been writting long squeals to the Times about hus. / They call us ‘road-tyrants’ and rowdies.

(c) (also mivey, mivy) the landlady of a lodging-house.

1887		Punch 10 Sept. 111: Talk about stodge! Jest you arsk the old mivvy as caters for me at the crib where I lodge [F&H].
1889–90		Barrère & Leland Dict. of Sl., Jargon and Cant II 57/2: Mivies (popular), landladies.
1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.