Definition of mugwump
1 : a bolter from the Republican party in 1884
2 : a person who is independent (as in politics) or who remains undecided or neutral
Read the Latest from M-W
mugwump was our Word of the Day on 01/11/2016. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Did You Know?
Mugwump is an anglicized version of a word used by Massachusett Indians to mean "war leader." The word was sometimes jestingly applied in early America to someone who was the "head guy." The first political mugwumps were Republicans in the presidential race of 1884 who chose to support Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland rather than their own party's nominee. Their independence prompted one 1930s humorist to define a mugwump as "a bird who sits with its mug on one side of the fence and its wump on the other."
Origin and Etymology of mugwump
obsolete slang mugwump kingpin, from Massachusett mugquomp, muggumquomp war leader
Learn More about mugwump
-
See words that rhyme with mugwump Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mugwump
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up mugwump? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!