mought

[ mawt ]

/ mɔt /

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South Midland and Southern U.S.

a simple past tense of may¹.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of mought

First recorded in 1550–1600

"Theer's honest men as mought ha' loved her," said Joan, inwardly.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett
I've stayed round the old house many a neet, feared summat mought harm yo', an' yo' know yo' niwer gave me a good word, Meg.
One Day At Arle|Frances Hodgson Burnett
I reckon, and a right peart 'un,—ye mought bet yer pile on thet.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 86, December, 1864|Various
"She mought and then again she moughtn't," returned Jo non-committally.
The Four Corners Abroad|Amy Ella Blanchard

Well, Mastah, I's 'fraid ol' man Time mought hyeah you an' t'ink he done let me run too long.
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories|Paul Laurence Dunbar