Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Hugger-mugger — Hug ger mug ger, n. [Scot. huggrie muggrie; Prov. E. hugger to lie in ambush, mug mist, muggard sullen.] 1. Privacy; secrecy. Commonly in the phrase in hugger mugger, with haste and secrecy. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] Many things have been done in… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Hugger-mugger — Hug ger mug ger, a. 1. Secret; clandestine; sly. [1913 Webster] 2. Confused; disorderly; slovenly; mean; as, hugger mugger doings. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
hugger-mugger — ► ADJECTIVE 1) confused. 2) secret. ► NOUN 1) confusion. 2) secrecy. ORIGIN probably related to HUDDLE(Cf. ↑huddle) and to dialect mucker «hoard money, conceal» … English terms dictionary
hugger-mugger — I. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1529 1. secrecy 2. confusion, muddle II. adjective Date: 1692 1. secret 2. of a confused or disorderly nature … New Collegiate Dictionary
hugger-mugger — /hug euhr mug euhr/, n. 1. disorder or confusion; muddle. 2. secrecy; reticence: Why is there such hugger mugger about the scheme? adj. 3. secret or clandestine. 4. disorderly or confused. v.t. 5. to keep secret or concealed; hush up. v.i. 6. to… … Universalium
hugger-mugger — /ˈhʌgə mʌgə/ (say huguh muguh) noun 1. disorder or confusion; a muddle. 2. secrecy or concealment: in hugger mugger. –adjective 3. secret or clandestine. 4. disorderly or confused. –verb (t) 5. Obsolete to keep secret or concealed. –verb (i) 6 …
hugger mugger — verb act stealthily or secretively • Derivationally related forms: ↑hugger mugger • Hypernyms: ↑act, ↑behave, ↑do • Verb Frames: Somebody s … Useful english dictionary
hugger mugger — Synonyms and related words: airtight secrecy, all over, all over hell, anarchic, arsy varsy, ass backwards, back door, backstairs, balled up, black out, bollixed up, by stealth, censor, chaotic, clandestine, close secrecy, closeness, concealment … Moby Thesaurus
hugger-mugger — 1. noun /ˈhʌɡəmʌɡə/ a) Secrecy. b) Disorder. 2. adjective /ˈhʌɡəmʌɡə/ a) Secret, clandestine. b) Disorderly, chaotic, confused … Wiktionary
hugger-mugger — adjective 1》 confused; disorderly. 2》 secret. noun 1》 confusion or disorder. 2》 secrecy. Origin C16: prob. related to huddle and to dialect mucker hoard money, conceal … English new terms dictionary
