# Why is "mum" the word? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 19, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872 "2005-10-19T05:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/1 "2005-10-19T05:30:14Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/2 "2005-10-19T05:34:01Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/3 "2005-10-19T05:40:52Z")
Well, I didn’t know that it meant silent…but now that you told me how does mum mean silent? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/4 "2005-10-19T05:47:34Z")
The Macquarie Dictionary suggests that it’s of middle English derivation, possibly imitative of the sound made with closed lips (presumably indicating secrecy). ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/5 "2005-10-19T05:51:44Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > \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.] ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/6 "2005-10-19T06:44:46Z")
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_](http://www.bartleby.com/216/1303.html): > [@](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/7 "2005-10-19T08:11:40Z")
> [@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](http://www.mummers.com/), as any South Philly guy can tell ya. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/8 "2005-10-19T08:14:03Z")
[Better link.](http://www.phillymummers.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/9 "2005-10-19T08:47:44Z")
I refuse to acknowledge the persistence of mummers and morris dancers – some things simply _require_ the reassuring insulation of a few centuries. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mum-the-word/326872/10 "2005-10-19T12:36:11Z")
I thought Grease was the word…