From Middle English mummer, mommer, equivalent to mum + -er, perhaps conflating with Old French momeor (“jester, entertainer”), from mommer (“to wear a mask”), from momon (“mask”). Compare German Mumme (“mask”), 16th Century German mummen (“to disguise oneself”), Middle Dutch mommen, mummen (“to go about in a mask, to disguise”), Middle Low Saxon mommen (“to wear a mask, to disguise”), Dutch mom (“mask”) and mimmen (“to mask”) as well as Spanish momo (“grimace”). Perhaps both of the conflated terms are from the same ultimate root, as note Middle Low Saxon mummen (“to speak indistinctly, to disguise oneself”), Dutch mommen (“to speak indistinctly”), German mummen (“to speak indistinctly”), English mump (“to grimace, mumble”).

Synonyms

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pantomimer mimer mime pantomimist

Related words

sing mimic mime mimer pantomimist pantomime

Rhymes for mummer

summer gummer bummer hummer drummer Plummer midsummer

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of mummer?

"mummer" (noun) means someone who wears a costume to hide who they are, for example at a festival or parade.

What is another word for mummer?

Other words for "mummer" include pantomimer, mimer, mime, pantomimist.

What are the different meanings of mummer?

"mummer" has 2 main meanings: 1. Someone who wears a costume to hide who they are, for example at a festival or parade; 2. A performer in a pantomime who acts using only movement and facial expressions, without speaking.

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