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Dictionary Language resources

mumpsimus

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌmpsɪməs/

Definition of mumpsimus

noun (plural mumpsimuses)

a traditional custom or idea adhered to although shown to be unreasonable.
a person who obstinately adheres to old customs or ideas in spite of evidence that they are wrong or unreasonable.

Origin:

mid 16th century: erroneously for Latin sumpsimus in quod in ore sumpsimus 'which we have taken into the mouth' (from the Eucharist), in allusion to the story of an illiterate priest who, when corrected for reading quod in ore mumpsimus, replied ‘I will not change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus’