mumpsimus
(ˈmʌmpsɪməs)
[In allusion to the story (in R. Pace De Fructu, 1517, p. 80) of an illiterate English priest, who when corrected for reading ‘quod in ore mumpsimus’ in the Mass, replied, ‘I will not change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus’.]
† 1. One who obstinately adheres to old ways, in spite of the clearest evidence that they are wrong; an ignorant and bigoted opponent of reform. Obs.
| 1530 Tindale Pract. Prelates H v, The chauncelars of englond..which be all lawers and other doctoures mumsimusses of diuinyte were called vpp sodenlye to dispute the mater. 1553 Underhill in Narr. Reform. (Camden Soc.) 141 Yff yow loke amonge the pristes in Poolles, ye shall fynde some old mumsymussis ther. |
¶ b. Used as a vague term of contempt: An ‘old fogey’. ? Also = mumps. (In quots. 1596 and 1691 app. associated with mump v.1) Obs.
| 1575 Gascoigne Posies, Supposes 11 And if this olde Mumpsimus..should win hir, then may I say,..farewel the sight of my Polynesta. 1596 Lodge Wits Miserie 37 The next of this progenie is Vnlawfull lucre, looke what a handsome Mumpsimus shee is, will you know her profession? 1691 Shadwell Scowrers i. i, Eugenia. [To Priscilla, her governess.] Did she so, old mumpsimus. [Cf. ibid., Mutter no more under thy Gums, old Sybil.] 1815 Zeluca I. 336 He showed me into a room with some mumpsimuses. |
2. A traditional custom or notion obstinately adhered to however unreasonable it is shown to be.
| 1545 Hen. VIII Parl. Sp. 24 Dec. in Hall Chron., Hen. VIII (1550) 261 b, Some be to styff in their old Mumpsimus, other be to busy and curious in their newe Sumpsimus. 1669 Penn No Cross ii. §9 (1682) 35 A by-rote Mumpsimus, a dull and insipid Formality, made up of corporal bowings and Cringings. 1862 Keble in Liddon, etc. Pusey (1897) IV. i. 25, I still hold to my old mumpsimus that the Prayer Book being what it is we cannot be unchurched by mere abuse or default of discipline. |
3. attrib., quasi-adj. Stupidly conservative.
| 1680 R. Bolron Narrative 9 The Jesuits..are the most Zealous for the propagation of their Religion in their old Mumpsimus Way. 1821 Syd. Smith Wks. (1859) I. 330/2 All the fat and sleek people..the mumpsimus, and ‘well as we are’ people, are perfectly outrageous at being compelled to do their duty. |