I don’t remember when I
first encountered the word mumpsimus. But it immediately became one of
my favorites. Here’s why.
1. It’s
sharply focused. It means “someone who clings to an error despite all the
evidence that the person is wrong.” Mumpsimus zeroes in on a particular
situation with sharp, clear definition.
2. Mumpsimus
has a fascinating origin. The word comes from a Catholic priest who mangled the
Latin wording in saying the Mass. When he should have said “sumpsimus,” meaning
“we have received,” after the Eucharist, he said mumpsimus (which is
meaningless) instead. Even though the error was repeatedly pointed out to him,
he refused to correct his wording.
3. When
I first encountered mumpsimus I read a story that illustrated its
meaning. A mental patient insists that he is dead. His psychiatrist asks him,
“Do dead men bleed?” The patient says, “No.” So the doctor takes a needle and
pricks the patient’s finger and a drop of blood oozes out. The patient looks at
his finger in wonderment and says, “Wow, so dead men do bleed.”
4. The
unusualness of the word leads me to appreciate the richness of the English
language. Now and again we meet a new word, which we realize is a perfect fit
for a particular need. And we say, “Thank you, English, for giving this to me.”
5. Finally,
there’s the word’s utility. Mumpsimus is perfect for describing people
who, for whatever motives, refuse to accept the facts. Perhaps it’s out of
habit, like the priest getting the wording wrong. Or maybe it’s easier to cling
to an error than make a painful change.
Mumpsimus, I contend, is a word for our times. We should
push it to the front in our conversations. Put it in headlines. Shout it from
the rooftops. Mumpsimus!
[300 words]
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