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mumpsimus

[ muhmp-suh-muhs ]

noun

, plural mump·si·mus·es
  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 ).


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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 )
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Example Sentences

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

Sumpsimus, sump′si-mus, n. a correct expression displacing an incorrect but common one (see Mumpsimus).

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

Mumpsimus, mump′si-mus, n. an error to which one clings after it has been thoroughly exposed.

Mr. Beckford called the beast, or reptile, a mumpsimus (sic).

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