Why is "mum" the word?

[Idle_Thoughts]

I looked through the archives here and also searched the board’s topics and such. Then, I tried my luck at google, but all the sites that had the phrase “mums the word” seemed to just have it only, not the explaination or origin of it.

So what is the origin of the phrase people utter when when they want to keep something secret or quiet or on the down low?

What does mum refer to and why is it “the word” meaning to keep quiet about?

It’s probably a really simple and/or obvious answer and I’ll kick myself afterwards.

[Cunctator]

Well, *mum * is an adjective meaning silent. So the phrase *mum’s the word * means to keep silent. Is that what you’re asking? Or are you asking why the word *mum * means silent?

[Idle_Thoughts]

Well, I didn’t know that it meant silent…but now that you told me how does mum mean silent?

[Cunctator]

The Macquarie Dictionary suggests that it’s of middle English derivation, possibly imitative of the sound made with closed lips (presumably indicating secrecy).

[Scott_Plaid]

@Idle Thoughts

<snip>how does mum mean silent?

Um, because it, does, full stop. It isn’t some shortend form of a word, such as “mother”. Instead, it is:

@the staff of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

mum 1 Pronunciation (mm)
adj.
Not verbalizing; silent.
interj.
Used as a command to stop speaking.
Idiom:
mum’s the word
Say nothing of the secret you know: Mum’s the word on the surprise party.
[Middle English, perhaps imitative of closing one’s lips.]

[Larry_Mudd]

In Middle French, “momon” meant “mask,” and the verb form is “momeur.”

English borrowed this for “mummer” and “mummery.”

Mummers wore masks and their performances were totally silent.

From The Cambridge History of English and American Literature:

In this account, we have what is probably the oldest and simplest form of what is afterwards the masque. It is called “a mumming,” and the performers are “mummers.” The word means that the disguised performers say nothing that would betray their identity. They dice in silence, using only dumb show where they wish to signify their meaning. But they are all disguised with vizards, the old word for mask; they are accompanied by musicians; they dance together among themselves when their “mumming” business is over and torchbearers conduct them on their way. Simple as their scheme was, the entry of masked mummers with blare of trumpets and blaze of torches into the great banqueting hall must have been highly picturesque.

[furt]

@Larry Mudd

In Middle French, “momon” meant “mask,” and the verb form is “momeur.”

English borrowed this for “mummer” and “mummery.”

Mummers wore masks and their performances were totally silent.

Incorrect use of the past tense, as any South Philly guy can tell ya.

[furt]

Better link.

[Larry_Mudd]

I refuse to acknowledge the persistence of mummers and morris dancers – some things simply require the reassuring insulation of a few centuries.

[Khadaji]

I thought Grease was the word…