Why do British say mum instead of mom?

Americans pronounce “mom” as /mɑːm/ (with the same vowel as in “father”), while the British pronounce “mum” as /mʌm/ (with the same vowel as in the word “but”). Originally Answered: Why do most British people say ‘mum’ and most American people say ‘mom’? Because vowel sounds change with accent. That’s it.

Where did the phrase mum come from?

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. The word ‘mum’ was first used by William Langland in his 1376 work Piers Plowman, and the expression itself became popular in the 16th century.

When did Americans start using Mom?

The answer here is largely the same as for “dad.” “Mom” is first recorded in the 1800s and probably originates as a shortened form of “mamma,” which appears in the 1550s. Ultimately, they both appear to come from baby talk.

Which was first mum or Mom?

In terms of recorded usage of related words in English, mama is from 1707, mum is from 1823, mummy in this sense from 1839, mommy 1844, momma 1852, and mom 1867. So in fact both ‘mom’ and ‘mum’ are words derived from the word ‘mamma’ with early recorded usage back in the 1570s in England.

What does the expression Mum’s the word mean?

Definition of mum’s the word —used to say that some information is being kept secret or should be kept secret We want her birthday party to be a surprise, so mum’s the word.

How do you use the word mums in a sentence?

We are throwing a party for our friend Jeremy, but its a surprise, so don’t tell him anything about it. Mum’s the word. I’ll tell you about our secret hiding place, but mum’s the word; don’t tell anyone about it. Mum’s the word about tonight’s plan.

What was first Mum or Mom?

“Mom” appears to have entered American English around 1867, probably as a shortening of “mamma” and/or “mommy.” “Mum” on the other hand started appearing by around 1823 as a shortening of “mummy.” The word “mum” has some other import in British English, too.