hugger-mugger

English

Alternative forms

• huggermugger

Etymology

The origin of hugger-mugger is unknown; it is perhaps from Anglo-Irish cuggermugger, "a whispering, a low-voiced gossiping," from Irish cogair!, "whisper!". Compare Swedish mjugg. (dictionary.com)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhʌɡəmʌɡə/

Noun

hugger-mugger (uncountable)

1. (archaic) Secrecy.
   • Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 4, scene 5
   • We have done but greenly in hugger-mugger to inter him.
   • Fuller

     Many things have been done in hugger-mugger.

2. Disorder.
   • 1942, As we passed through the quadrangle the church was glowing more brightly than a pearl, like a lily in strong sunlight, in spite of all the scaffolding and hugger-mugger. — Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate 2006, p. 990)

Adjective

hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger)

1. Secret, clandestine.
2. Disorderly, chaotic, confused.

Adverb

hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger)

1. Secretly.
2. Confusedly, in a muddle.