hugger-mugger
See also: huggermugger
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Of unknown origin; perhaps from Anglo-Irish cuggermugger (“a whispering, a low-voiced gossiping”), from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Irish cogair (“whisper”). Compare also Swedish mjugg.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈhʌɡ.əˌmʌɡ.ə/, /ˌhʌɡ.əˈmʌɡ.ə/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈhʌɡ.ɚˌmʌɡ.ɚ/
Adjective
hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger)
- Secret, clandestine, sly.
- Disorderly, chaotic, confused.
- hugger-mugger doings
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:covert
Noun
- (archaic) Secrecy.
- 1599-1602, Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 4, scene 5
- We have done but greenly in hugger-mugger to inter him.
- (Can we date this quote by Fuller and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- Many things have been done in hugger-mugger.
- 1599-1602, Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 4, scene 5
- Disorder.
- 1942, Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate 2006), page 990:
- 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.
- 1942, Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate 2006), page 990:
Adverb
hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger)
- Secretly.
- Confusedly, in a muddle.