Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
mugwump
mug′wumpˊ
,Noun.
[Cf. Algonquin
mugquomp
a chief.] 1.
A bolter from the Republican party in the national election of 1884; an Independent.
[Political Cant, U.S.]
Definition 2024
mugwump
mugwump
English
Noun
mugwump (plural mugwumps)
- (US) An independent neutral politician, especially in reference to the 1884 U.S. presidential election.
- (colloquial) An aloof or inconsequential person.
- 1935, George Goodchild, chapter 1, in Death on the Centre Court:
- “Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke […] whom the papers are making such a fuss about.”
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