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mugwump
[ muhg-wuhmp ]
noun
- a Republican who refused to support the party nominee, James G. Blaine, in the presidential campaign of 1884.
- a person who is unable to make up their mind on an issue, especially in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
mugwump
/ ˈmʌɡˌwʌmp /
noun
- a neutral or independent person, esp in politics
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Derived Forms
- ˈmugˌwumpish, adjective
- ˈmugˌwumpery, noun
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Other Words From
- mugwumper·y mugwumpism noun
- mugwumpi·an adjective
- mugwumpish adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of mugwump1
First recorded in 1830–35, Americanism; artificial 19th-century revival of Massachusett ( English spelling) mugquomp, syncopated form of muggumquomp “war leader” (equivalent to Proto-Algonquian (unattested) memekw- perhaps “swift” + (unattested) -a·pe·w “man”)
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Word History and Origins
Origin of mugwump1
C19: from Algonquian: great chief, from mogki great + -omp man
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Example Sentences
“Blizzard” and “mugwump” were new but a short time ago: the latter is dying from disuse, the former has come to stay.
From Project Gutenberg
Was retribution following thus fast because of that subterfuge of Mugwump?
From Project Gutenberg
This cynic, this philosopher, this mugwump says Sir Walter was a genuine man.
From Project Gutenberg
He scoffed at the idea of becoming a Mugwump, but declared himself ready to renounce his Republicanism and become a Democrat.
From Project Gutenberg
One politician said, frankly, "Women are natural mugwumps, and I hate a mugwump."
From Project Gutenberg
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