mumpsimus

[muhmp-suh-muhs]

noun

plural

mumpsimuses 

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mumpsimus¹

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-person plural perfect 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; consume ( def. )

Example Sentences

We are not going to change our old 'mumpsimus' for anybody's new 'sumpsimus.'

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If men prefer their “mumpsimus” to our “sumpsimus,” let them by all means have it: but pray let them keep their rubbish to themselves,—and at least leave our Saviour's words alone.

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So the reformers who call it “mulligatunny” are just as bad as we devotees of mumpsimus and mulligatawny ourselves.

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On being remonstrated with, he retorted that “He would not leave his old mumpsimus for their new sumpsimus.”

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And now let all defenders of present institutions, however bad they may be—let all violent supporters of their old mumpsimus against any new sumpsimus whatever, listen to a conversation among some undergraduates.

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