[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?