muggins: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, dated (more common in UK). Often used humorously or ironically.
Quick answer
What does “muggins” mean?
A foolish or gullible person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foolish or gullible person; a simpleton (often used self-deprecatingly).
In British card games (e.g., cribbage), a scoring rule where a player wins points if an opponent fails to claim points they are entitled to. Also, a card game for two or more players where the goal is to avoid taking certain tricks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly British. The 'fool' sense is understood but rarely used in American English. The card game sense is almost exclusively British.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with self-deprecating humour. US: Very rare; if used, likely in historical contexts or by anglophiles.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but significantly higher in UK English. Considered somewhat old-fashioned.
Grammar
How to Use “muggins” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a muggins.[Subject], muggins here, [did something foolish].Don't be such a muggins.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “muggins” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was mugginsed out of his share of the winnings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Used informally, often humorously to describe oneself after a foolish act. 'Well, muggins here agreed to work over the weekend.'
Technical
In context of specific card games (cribbage, dominoes) referring to a scoring rule.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “muggins”
- Using it as a standard insult instead of a humorous/self-referential term.
- Assuming it is common in American English.
- Confusing it with 'muggle' (from Harry Potter).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. It's mildly derogatory but most often used humorously or affectionately, especially about oneself. Its tone is closer to 'silly' than to a harsh insult.
Rarely. The verb 'to muggins' or 'to be mugginsed' (meaning to cheat or treat as a fool) exists in historical/dialect use but is extremely uncommon in modern English.
It is a slang formation from the mid-19th century, derived from the surname 'Muggins' (itself possibly from 'Meggy', a pet form of Margaret) used generically for a foolish person, similar to 'Tommy' for a soldier.
Yes, directly. The card game and cribbage rule are named after the slang term for a fool, as the player who fails to claim points is acting foolishly and is penalised for it.
A foolish or gullible person.
Muggins is usually informal, colloquial, dated (more common in uk). often used humorously or ironically. in register.
Muggins: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌɡɪnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌɡɪnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play muggins”
- “Muggins's turn (to do the unwanted task)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MUG with a smiling, gullible face (GIN) painted on it. The mug says 'S' for 'sucker' on the bottom. MUG-GIN-S = a mug (fool) who's all smiles while being taken for a ride.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A CONTAINER (mug) FOR GULLIBILITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'muggins' MOST likely to be used?