mummer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Specialist (folklore/history)
Quick answer
What does “mummer” mean?
A performer in a traditional, often folkloric, play or mime, typically wearing a mask, especially one connected to Christmas or seasonal festivals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A performer in a traditional, often folkloric, play or mime, typically wearing a mask, especially one connected to Christmas or seasonal festivals.
1) An actor in a pantomime or a silent theatrical performer. 2) (Derogatory) Someone who acts hypocritically, pretending to be something they are not, often in a trivial or ridiculous way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more likely to be encountered in UK English due to specific cultural traditions like 'Mummers' Plays'. In the US, it is primarily known in historical or academic contexts, or in cities like Philadelphia with 'Mummers Parades' (a specific cultural event).
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with folk tradition and Christmas. US: Primarily associated with the Philadelphia Mummers Parade (a New Year's Day tradition) and its specific culture.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Its use outside of specific cultural/historical contexts is rare and literary.
Grammar
How to Use “mummer” in a Sentence
[the/a] mummer [performed/acted][he/she] is a mummermummer of [a/the play/parade]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mummer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The villagers would mummer a traditional play each winter.
- He spent his youth mumming in local festivals.
American English
- The club members mummed a short historical sketch for the parade.
- They practiced mumming for weeks.
adjective
British English
- The mummer tradition is alive in some Cotswold villages.
- They formed a new mummer troupe.
American English
- The mummer parade is a major Philadelphia event.
- He wore an elaborate mummer costume.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in studies of folklore, drama history, and cultural anthropology.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used in UK regions with strong folk traditions.
Technical
A specific term in folkloristics and theatre history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mummer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mummer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mummer”
- Confusing 'mummer' with 'mummer' (as a verb form of 'mum' - to act in a mime).
- Misspelling as 'mumer' or 'mummer'.
- Using in a modern, non-traditional acting context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A mummer is specifically linked to folk traditions and seasonal plays, often with speech. A mime is a modern theatrical performer who communicates without words, using gesture.
Yes, etymologically. It comes from the Old French 'momer' (to mask, to mime), which is related to 'mum' (silent), reflecting the disguised or silent nature of the performance.
In the UK, look for traditional Mummers' Plays performed around Christmas in villages, especially in England and Ireland. In the US, the Philadelphia Mummers Parade is held every New Year's Day.
In its primary, folkloric sense, yes—it is a neutral or positive term for a cultural practitioner. The negative, metaphorical sense ('hypocrite') is derived and used in literary or critical contexts.
A performer in a traditional, often folkloric, play or mime, typically wearing a mask, especially one connected to Christmas or seasonal festivals.
Mummer is usually formal, literary, specialist (folklore/history) in register.
Mummer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌmə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MUM' (silent) and 'MUMMY' (wrapped/disguised). A MUMMER is a performer who stays silent (mum) or is disguised.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS THEATRE (derogatory sense: a person is an actor hiding their true self).
Practice
Quiz
In a literary context, calling someone a 'mummer' most likely implies they are: