When it comes to keeping something secret, why do we say “mums the word”?
Maybe because “mum” means “mute”? I don’t see much mystery there.
I think it comes from the idea of mumming, which IIRC is dancing around silently. There was some mime troupe called Mummenshanz that did this, and in Philadelphia there are ceremonial parading dancers that do this, called the Mummers.
Thanks for these answers. Thats been something I have always wondered!
FYI, ‘Mum’ Is how we say ‘Mom’ in the UK so I always read ‘Mums the word’ as if it mean ‘Mother is the word’ And confusion ensued…
… Well confusion never actually ensued. I never deemed it important enough to be confused about it.
From the Online Etymology Dictionary:
mum (interj.)
1568, from M.E. mum, mom “silent” (1377), imitative of the sound made with closed lips, as indicative of unwillingness or inability to speak. Phrase mum’s the word is first recorded 1704.
From Shakespeare’s Henry VI, part 2:
“Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum”
In Rochdale, UK there is one particular time of year when kids come around begging for money/sweets etc.
They do not say a word, just come up to you and keep on going “mmmmmmm” all the time. If you give them anything and they thank you then they have to give the gift back.
Speaking is strictly verboten
I don’t think that the Mummers are related to this definition of mum - the Mummers Parade is a pretty noisy place.
Oh, they are. Just, you know, some way back.
That fits with what I’ve always thought, though I’ve never looked it up. It’s the sound people would make when they wanted to tell you to shush, or be quiet, and don’t tell. They’d close their lips and put a finger over them in the “shhh” mode and say “mmm”.
Haven’t seen that for a while, though.
Wish I could tell you, it’s just that… Well, you know…
>I don’t think that the Mummers are related to this definition of mum…
You know, after I posted, it occurred to me to offer that dozens of banjos playing a nervous and fast “I’m looking over a four leaf clover” has strayed pretty far from history.
Now I want to read a thread about the origin of the word “macy”.
That’s a horror movie just begging to be made.
I never thought it was “Mum is the word”. I always read it as a verb- “[It] mums the word.”
How about “on the QT”?
I always thought Grease was the word.
Because everyone knows Mum is in charge. If she says shut up then you SHUT UP!
I always thought the bird’s the word.
Thunderbird!
Naw, couldn’t be. It has too much groove and meaning.