Why do the Brits say mum?

It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. The word "mum" is an alteration of momme, which was used between 1350 and 1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning, "be silent; do not reveal".


Why do British say mum instead of ma am?

The short answer is that the two nations do speak different dialects of English. Additionally, neither the use of language nor the use of these different dialects is bound by distinct geographical borders. This is why 'mum' and 'mom' show up in other parts of the world outside of USA and the UK.

Do British say mum or mom?

Certainly if you're in the US, your mother is your “mom” – short for “mommy” and in the UK, Australia and New Zealand it's “mum” – shortened from “mummy”. Canada uses both (or even “maman” in French-speaking Quebec).


What does the British word mum mean?

mum 1. / (mʌm) / noun. mainly British an informal word for mother 1.

Do they say mum in UK?

Mum is common throughout Britain, but particularly in the south. Mam is used in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and parts of northern England. Mom is most associated with American English.


Do British people say mum or mam?



What do British people call their mom?

Adults in England call their mother “mum” until you get up to North Yorkshire and Tyneside, where it might be “mam” (with a very short and clipped “a”). Small children may call their mother “mummy”; doing so beyond the age of about ten would invite ridicule.

What does mum mean in Scotland?

Etymology. Alteration or clipping of mama. Compare Scots mam, Early Scots mame (“mother”), mamye (“wet nurse”), Saterland Frisian Määme (“mother”), West Frisian mem (“mother”).

What is mum in British police?

Order of Merit of the Police Forces.


Why do British people say Zed?

The primary exception, of course, is in the United States where “z” is pronounced “zee”. The British and others pronounce “z”, “zed”, owing to the origin of the letter “z”, the Greek letter “Zeta”. This gave rise to the Old French “zede”, which resulted in the English “zed” around the 15th century.

Why do Americans call mum Mom?

Why do most British people say 'mum' and most American people say 'mom'? Because vowel sounds change with accent. That's it.

Why do Americans say Zee?

Zee became the standard way to pronounce Z in the United States in the 19th century. It's said that zee most likely came about because it rhymes with other letter pronunciations in the English alphabet (e.g., e, d, c, b, g, and p).


Why do British people say maths?

Math is an abbreviation of mathematics, which is a count noun in British English because there are different types of maths (geometry, algebra, calculus, etc.) and a mass noun that happens to end in an 's' in American English (like gymnastics in both dialects).

How do Irish people say Mum?

"Mam" is the most popular form of address for mothers in Ireland. Some 31 per cent of adults call their mother "Mam" when speaking to her, 23 per cent prefer "Mum", 12 per cent say "Mom" and a further 12 per cent use "Mammy".

How do Americans pronounce Mum?

Americans pronounce “mom” as /mɑːm/ (with the same vowel as in “father”), while the British pronounce “mum” as /mʌm/ (with the same vowel as in the word “but”).


What is slang for police in UK?

bobby, slang term for a member of London's Metropolitan Police derived from the name of Sir Robert Peel, who established the force in 1829. Police officers in London are also known as “peelers” for the same reason.

What are cops in UK called?

In Britain today all policemen are commonly referred to as 'Bobbies'! Originally though, they were known as 'Peelers' in reference to one Sir Robert Peel (1788 – 1850). Today it is hard to believe that Britain in the 18th century did not have a professional police force.

Why do British police say ma am?

Military and police usage

"Ma'am" is commonly used as a verbal address for female officers of inspector and higher ranks in British police forces. The word is also used by junior personnel to address female superiors in the British Armed Forces.


What is a wife called in Scottish?

Scottish Word: Geggie.

What do Scottish kids call their Mom?

The pronunciation, of course, will vary for Mam whether you're a Northumbrian or Geordie. This term of endearment for mother is also very common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Ireland Ma is also frequently used instead of Mam. In Wales kids would call for their Mams.

What do Scottish parents call their kids?

What does bairn mean? Bairn is a Scottish or Northern English word for child.


What do they call girlfriends in the UK?

British terms of endearment: 'Sweetheart', 'love', 'darling'…

How do British kids call their parents?

More commonly people refer to their parents as their mum in UK English, or mom in US English, and their dad in both UK and US English. These words are more informal than mother and father. UK My mum and dad go there every year.

What do they call parents in the UK?

There are many nicknames for parents. Young children sometimes call their mother mommy in US English or mummy in UK English, and they call their father daddy. Mama and papa are also used. These words are informal in US English, but old-fashioned in UK English.


How do you say bro in British?

bruv. In the US, we have friend terms like bro and bruh. In the UK, they have bruv. Bruv is short for brother, as in “fellow; buddy.” It's a familiar term typically used between male friends, close relations, or even actual brothers.