mum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A child's word for mother.

   My mum makes the best chocolate cake.

2. 2
   adj

   Silent; saying nothing.

   He kept mum about the surprise party.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Mum in the sense “mother,” recorded from the late 16th century, ultimately reflects the ma-like sounds commonly made by young children. A separate medieval mum meant “hush!” and probably imitated the muffled sound made when speaking with tightly closed lips; this is the source of keep mum and mum’s the word.

From Middle English mum or mom (“silent”), reminiscent of the sound made when gagged or with a hand over one's mouth. Perhaps related to dated German Mumme (“mask”).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary