Hugger-mugger

(HUG ur MUG ur) n., vb., adj., adv.

Through all its uses as these various, hugger-mugger involves two basic concepts: secrecy and disorder: True, these are distinct concepts – except that acts committed clandestinely are apt to be done in haste, and consequently in disorder. In any case, as a noun, hugger-mugger means “secrecy, concealment” or “confusion, muddle”; as a transitive verb, “to conceal, hush up”; as an instransitive verb, “to act secretly,” sometimes “to seek secret counsel”; as an adjective, “secret” or “confused”; as an adverb, “secretly or in confusion.”



It was spelt hucker-mucker in the 16th century; there was a Middle English verb mokere (to conceal, hoard) and a Middle English verb moder (to muddle). Lots of possible derivations; something of a muddle in itself. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act IV, Scene 5), King Claudius, concerned about “the people muddled” as to the killing of Polonius, tells Queen Gertrude:



“…and we have done but greenly [foolishly] in hugger-mugger to intern him…”



Here Shakespeare uses hugger-mugger to mean “in secrecy and haste,” in a manner that would arouse suspicion of dirty work at the crossroads. Hugger-muggery means “secret doings,” suggesting haste, concealment and confusion – a word almost onomatopoeic, especially if prounounced in a stage whisper.



This selection is taken from the book, “1000 Most Challenging Words” by Norman W. Schur, ©1987 by the Ballantine Reference Library, Random House.

I post a weekly “Challenging Words” definition to call more attention to this delightful book and to promote interesting word usage in the blogosphere. I challenge other bloggers to work the current word into post sometime in the coming week. If you manage to do so, please leave a comment or a link to where I can find it.

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