[SOLVED] - thanks to !DABDA@lemmy.dbzer0.com
When I was using Windows, by holding down the Alt key I could highlight words in the text of a link the same way as in normal text, and then press Ctrl-C to copy.
On Mint, holding down the Alt key puts the cursor in a repositioning mode (a cross made of arrows) that drags the current window around. This happens identically in Chrome and Firefox.
How do you copy some words from link text?
You can change the move window modifier key between Disabled/Alt/Super/Control.
Menu->Preferences->Windows, then select the Behavior tab and choose from the drop-down menu in the “Moving and Resizing Windows” section.
Did the trick, thanks!