Definition of mumble

The origin of the word "mumble" can be traced back to Middle English, which was spoken in England during the medieval period. The Middle English word " mumlen," which meant "to mutter" or "to mummer," is the likely source of our modern-day word "mumble." Over time, the spelling of the word evolved, with early forms including "momelere" and "moumelen." The modern spelling of "mumble" appeared in the 15th century. In Old English, muttering was called "mymlian." The origins of the Middle English word "mumlen" are unclear. Some linguists believe that it comes from the Old English word "mycn," which meant "to teach" or "to train," and was related to the Old Norse word "mengja," which meant "to imitate." In this interpretation, "mumble" would have originally meant "to mutter like someone learning to speak." Another theory proposes that "mumble" is related to the Old English word "myrcan," which meant "to mumble" or "to mutter," and was also related to the Old Norse word "morg(')" which meant "morning." This theory suggests that "mumble" originally meant "to speak softly in the morning," when voices were still groggy. Irrespective of its origins, "mumble" has come to mean "to speak indistinctly or incoherently," particularly when someone is speaking too quietly or slurring their words. Its long and complex history is a testament to the richness and complexity of the English language.