Search results
- The phrase has emerged in that form from a line in Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part 2 and it means to be quiet, to be silent, not to utter a word.
nosweatshakespeare.com › quotes › famous
‘Mum’s the word’ is one of the most used idioms in the English language. We all know what it means but very few of us can see the logic of it in our everyday language and how it is related to our mothers.
People also ask
What does mum mean in English?
What does “Mum's the word” mean?
What does'mum' mean in Egyptian mummies?
Where did the word'mum' come from?
‘Mum’s the word’ means ‘keep quiet – say nothing’. What's the origin of the phrase 'Mum's the word'? ‘Mum’s the word’ has become a popular name for baby product shops and nursery services, but the ‘mum’ in this phrase isn’t mother.
Mum's the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. [1] 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".
I know where he has gone, but I am not revealing it to anyone against his wishes, so mum’s the word. I’ll let you on our little secret, but mum’s the word: if anyone else gets to know of it, we’ll be in big trouble. I’ve heard the news, but mum’s the word till we get confirmation. Origin. The phrase originated around the 17th ...
“Mum’s the word” is an idiomatic phrase that means to keep a secret or to stay silent about a certain matter. In English, we use it to show the importance of not revealing certain information or discussing a particular topic.
- Author
Specifically, "mum" relates to the "mmm" sound made with a closed mouth that suggests an inability to speak. The term originates from the early 18th century. Of note, the word "mum" has been associated with keeping silent since at least the Middle Ages.
Jun 17, 2024 · Mum’s the Word Meaning. The term ‘mum’s the word’ means that the speaker will not give away a secret. The speaker is acknowledging the need to stay silent about a subject. Origin of the idiomatic phrase. The useful idiomatic expression ‘mum’s the word’ first came from the word mummer which was an old fashioned type of mime.
