informal. : to not tell anyone (about something) She told him to keep/stay mum about the project.
Where does the phrase keeping mum come from?
Meaning. “Mum’s the word” means to keep silent or quiet. Mum is a Middle English word meaning ‘silent’, and may be derived from the mummer who acts without speaking. Note the similar English word “mime” (Old English “mīma”, Latin “mimus”) meaning silent actor or imitator.
What is the similar meaning of phrase to keep mum?
Definitions of keep mum. verb. refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent. synonyms: be quiet, belt up, button up, clam up, close up, dummy up, shut up. Antonyms: open up.
What does stay mum mean?
To remain silent; to not say anything (e.g., about a secret).
Why is it called mum’s the word?
The ‘mum’ in the expression ‘mum’s the word’ is derived from the humming sound a closed mouth makes, indicating an inability or unwillingness to speak. You’ll find it in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part 2: “Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.”
Why do the English say mum?
pet word for “mother,” 1823, short for mummy (see mamma). In British sociology, used from 1957 in reference to “the working class mother as an influence in the lives of her children.” Also sometimes a vulgar corruption of madam.
What is a big word for beautiful?
Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty.
What does keep Mom mean?
Verb. 1. keep mum – refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent; “The children shut up when their father approached” be quiet, belt up, button up, clam up, shut up, dummy up, close up.
What does the word mum mean?
Mum is an adjective that means keeping quiet. It can also be used by itself to mean Be quiet! This sense of mum is especially used in the expressions keep mum and mum’s the word. In the U.K. and other places, mum is used as a word for mom or madam.
Why do people say’mom’and’dad’?
Many of the compliments and comments using “mom” and “dad” are in response to posts made by people with large social media followings. Is it possibly an attempt to get those Instagram- and Twitter-popular people’s attention? Maybe.
When to use’mom’and’dad’as compliments?
Generally it seems that “mom” and “dad” haven’t caught on enough yet to be used as a compliment without leaving people confused; however, when properly defined and explained in context, it makes others feel comfortable being given the compliment.
Who is the director of Mom and Dad?
Mom and Dad (known as The Family Story in the United Kingdom) is a feature-length 1945 film directed by William Beaudine, and largely produced by the exploitation film maker and presenter Kroger Babb. Mom and Dad is considered the most successful film within its genre of “sex hygiene” films.
Why do people refer to me as Dad on Instagram?
This new slang term seems to be gaining a lot of popularity, as BuzzFeed producer Keith Habersberger noticed that many people were referring to him as “dad” in the comments of his Instagram photos. The trend confused Habersberger; he is not, in fact, a dad, and he had no idea why people suspected that he might be based on his photos.
