What does the expression Mums the word mean?

What does the expression Mums the word mean?

Definition of mum’s the word —used to say that some information is being kept secret or should be kept secret We want her birthday party to be a surprise, so mum’s the word.

Who said Mums the word?

Mum’s the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. The word “mum” is an alteration of momme, which was used between 1350 and 1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning, “be silent; do not reveal”.

Is mum a real word?

When to Use Mum Mum can be a noun or an adjective. As an adjective, mum is a synonym of silent, like in the phrase mum’s the word. It is also an alternative spelling of mom, where it means mother. Mom is more common in American English, while mum is more common in British English.

Why do British people say mum?

Originally Answered: Why do most British people say ‘mum’ and most American people say ‘mom’? Because vowel sounds change with accent. That’s it.

When did mum become mom?

It wasn’t until a few years later in the United States that ‘mommy’ was used in 1844 and ‘momma’ in 1884. ‘Mom’ (pop the champagne) finally appeared in 1867. It’s interesting to note that it was in less than 45 years that five out of six of these terms for mother came about.

When did the word mum come into use?

In terms of recorded usage of related words in English, mama is from 1707, mum is from 1823, mummy in this sense from 1839, mommy 1844, momma 1852, and mom 1867. That’s when each form was first used in writing that survived to be available for research.

Does mum mean silent?

Mum is an adjective that means keeping quiet. It can also be used by itself to mean Be quiet! Example: Mum’s keeping mum—I can’t get a word out of her!

Where does the expression to keep mum come from?

“Keeping mum” may be a reference to the wax used to prepare Egyptian mummies for burial. “Mum” appears to be a word of imitative origins, referencing the “mmmmmm” sound that people make when their mouths are closed and they try to talk, or when someone tries to talk with a hand clamped over his or her mouth.

Is mum a British word?

One word in particular that stands out in English dialects is the word we use for our mothers. The British typically use ‘mum’, and the Americans, ‘mom’.

Why is Vera called mum?

They’re actually calling them ‘ma’am’ which is a contraction of the word madam. It’s a sign of respect and the equivalent of calling someone Sir. They are saying “ma’am”, short for “madam”, which is a portmanteau of the french “ma dame” meaning “my lady”. It’s considered a polite form of address to a woman.

Is Mum and Mom the same?

Americans pronounce “mom” as /mɑːm/ (with the same vowel as in “father”), while the British pronounce “mum” as /mʌm/ (with the same vowel as in the word “but”).

Where is mum used?

Mum is common in Australia and the UK (especially England). Mam is common in Ireland, Wales and parts of northern England. Mom is most associated with American English.

What does “mum’s The word” mean?

Mum’s the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. The word “mum” is a slanged version of momme, which was used between 1350-1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning: Be silent; Do not reveal. “Mum’s the word” means to keep silent or quiet.

What’s the Hindi word for mother?

What’s the Hindi word for mother? Here’s a list of translations. Hindi Translation. मां. Māṁ. More Hindi words for mother. मां noun. Māṁ mum, mama, ma, momma, mummy.

What is the origin of the word’Mum’?

The word mum has meant silent since about 1350 and comes from the imitative sound made when one’s lips are closed (a kind of hum). The actual locution “Mum’s the word” appears in print over and over from about 1700. mum’s the word! Want to thank TFD for its existence?

What is the origin of the word mummer?

Mum is a Middle English word meaning ‘silent’, and may be derived from the mummer who acts without speaking. Note the similar English word ” mime ” ( Old English “mīma”, Latin “mimus”) meaning silent actor or imitator. The origins of the phrase can be traced back to the fourteenth century and William Langland’s narrative poem, Piers Plowman: