hugger-mugger

[ huhg-er-muhg-er ]

noun

1. disorder or confusion; muddle.
2. secrecy; reticence:

   Why is there such hugger-mugger about the scheme?

adjective

1. secret or clandestine.
2. disorderly or confused.

verb (used with object)

1. to keep secret or concealed; hush up.

verb (used without object)

1. to act secretly.

hugger-mugger

/ ˈhʌɡəˌmʌɡə /

noun

1. confusion
2. rare.
   secrecy

adjective

1. with secrecy
2. in confusion

verb

1. tr to keep secret
2. intr to act secretly

Word History and Origins

Origin of hugger-mugger¹

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier hucker-mucker, rhyming compound based on mucker, from Middle English mokeren “to hoard”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hugger-mugger¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

But they were taking no steps for this purpose; they were content with social hugger-mugger.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Bethany tossed the hugger-mugger of pamphlets across the table.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, everything drifts on to these hugger-mugger large enterprises; Chicago spreads over the world.

From Project Gutenberg

They can't do it,—by Act of Parliament,—except in a hugger-mugger left-handed way, that wouldn't suit you at all.

From Project Gutenberg

All that set you were brought up in—why, one only had to look at them to see what a hugger-mugger way they probably lived.

From Project Gutenberg