mumpsimus

[ muhmp-suh-muhs ]

/ ˈmʌmp sə məs /

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noun, plural mump·si·mus·es for 2.

adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy (opposed to sumpsimus).

a person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice (opposed to sumpsimus).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of mumpsimus

First recorded in 1520–30; from a story, perhaps originating with Erasmus, of an illiterate Catholic priest who, while saying the postcommunion prayer at Mass, said mumpsimus rather than sūmpsimus (1st plural perfect indicative of Latin sūmere “to take, take up”): “Quod ōre sūmpsimus, Domine, pūrā mente capiāmus” (“What we have taken by mouth, O Lord, may we keep with a pure mind”) and refused to change the word when corrected; see consume

Words nearby mumpsimus

mummy, mummy bag, mummy porn, mump, mumps, mumpsimus, mum's the word, mumsy, mun., munch, Munchausen

How to use mumpsimus in a sentence

We are not going to change our old 'mumpsimus' for anybody's new 'sumpsimus.'
Res Judicat|Augustine Birrell
Sumpsimus, sump′si-mus, n. a correct expression displacing an incorrect but common one (see Mumpsimus).
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
On being remonstrated with, he retorted that “He would not leave his old mumpsimus for their new sumpsimus.”
Robin Tremayne|Emily Sarah Holt
Mumpsimus, mump′si-mus, n. an error to which one clings after it has been thoroughly exposed.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

Mr. Beckford called the beast, or reptile, a mumpsimus (sic).
Recollections of the late William Beckford|Henry Venn Lansdown