i know it's said when someone is told to keep a secret or their mouth shut.
2006-07-07 06:50:11 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It means "Keep quiet - say nothing."
And the phrase actually originates from the "mmmmm" sound (humming, or the yummy sound would suffice), not mother and no, not mumble. It came from some line in a Shakespeare play called Henry VI that I'm too lazy to look into.
"Seal up your lips and give no words but mum."
2006-07-07 08:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by bubbacrackin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the concept goes back to mum mean mumble. Any no one understand mumbling so the secret is kept
2006-07-07 13:55:18 · answer #2 · answered by ML 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"keeping mum" or "staying mum" means "remaining silent", so the expression means "mum" is the word or "quiet" is the word meaning keeping mum or remaining silent is the thing to do.
2006-07-07 19:45:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meaning yeah i will keep your secret...or i won't tell
2006-07-07 13:53:23 · answer #4 · answered by MelDee5♥ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont tell anyone
keep it a secret
etc, i think
2006-07-07 13:53:53 · answer #5 · answered by Linda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not say anything. keep quiet.
2006-07-07 15:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by banda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋