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English
Etymology
From mum (“silence”). Recorded since 1704.
Pronunciation
Phrase
mum's the word
- (idiomatic) Indicates that something is a secret and not to be divulged.
She doesn't know anything about it yet, so mum's the word, OK?
1879, Anna Katharine Green, The Leavenworth Case: A Lawyer's Story, G. P. Putnam's Sons, page 256:… and that mum is the word till I give you liberty to speak
2024 November 18, Jeremy Levick & Rajat Suresh, “March Madness” (18:44 from the start), in What We Do in the Shadows, season 6, episode 7, spoken by Charmaine Rinaldi (Marissa Jaret Winokur):“Well, does she know how you feel?” “Honestly, Charmaine, I do not even know how I feel.” “Aw. Well, you should tell her.” “I should tell no one! Can you keep this secret, Charmaine?” “Mm-hmm.” “Good. Because if you don't, I'll kill you in your sleep.” “Okay, mum's the word.”
Translations
indicates that something is a secret
See also