‘Mush’ is a slang term which is often used to refer to a friend or an acquaintance. Its usage is particularly common in the north of England, with ‘yes mush’ a familiar greeting in Bradford. The word has its origins in an old Romany Gypsy dialect, which is still spoken by some travellers to this day.
Where is the word mush from?
Probably a variant of mash, or from a dialectal variant of Middle English mos (“mush, pulp, porridge”); compare Middle English appelmos (“applesauce”), from Old English mōs (“food, victuals, porridge, mush”), from Proto-West Germanic *mōs, from Proto-Germanic *mōsą (“porridge, food”), from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂d- (
What language does the word mush come from?
Etymology. From Middle English moochen, mouchen (“to pretend poverty”), from Old French muchier, mucier, mucer (“to skulk, hide, conceal”), from Frankish *mukjan (“to hide, conceal oneself”), from Proto-Germanic *mukjaną, *mūkōną (“to hide, ambush”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mūg-, *(s)mewgʰ- (“swindler, thief”).
What does mush mean in UK slang?
mush in British English
(mʊʃ ) noun British. a slang word for face (sense 1)
Where in the UK do they say mush?
I was discussing the origin of the word “mush” as in “a man from Southampton” with a friend who is researching his Romany Gypsy ancestry. The term is believed to be of Romany origin but nobody has come up with a reason for the popular use in Southampton.
Is mush a gypsy word?
Chav, mush, cushti and wonga – all words that have embedded themselves into the English vocabulary. But few people would guess their origins belong to a 16th century Romany Gypsy dialect still spoken by some travellers today.
Is mush a Portsmouth word?
Another of the more famous Portsmouth slang words. Mush is pronounced ‘Moosh’ and means mate or friend. You can expect to hear it around the city. It can be traced back to the old Romany word meaning ‘my good friend’.
Is mush a Welsh word?
Mush. Mush is a term of endearment, often referring to a friend such as ‘Alri mush? ‘. It rhymes with push and is often used by those from Swansea.
What does mush mean in Romany?
These are the definitions of some of the Romani words used during the interviews.
| Bawlow | Pig |
|---|---|
| Mush | Man |
| Oh dordi | Oh dear |
| Padda (Panam) | Bread |
| Pal (Pral) | Brother (used today to mean friend) |
What does mush mean in Ireland?
Definition of musha
Irish. —used especially to express surprise or annoyance.
Why do people call people mush?
What is a mush in British slang? It’s a regional variation of ‘mate’, probably deriving from the Romany word moosh, which means ‘man’.
What is called mush?
Definition of mush
(Entry 1 of 4) 1 : a thick porridge made with cornmeal boiled in water or milk. 2 : something soft and spongy or shapeless. 3a : weak sentimentality : drivel. b : mawkish amorousness.
What is British slang slapper?
Definition of slapper
noun. British slang a promiscuous woman.
What is a ducky in England?
ducky in British English
or duckie (ˈdʌkɪ ) informal. nounWord forms: plural duckies. British. darling or dear: used as a term of endearment. adjective.
Why do Brits say Guv?
(slang) A contraction of “governor”, used to describe a person in a managerial position e.g. “Sorry mate, can’t come to the pub, my guv’nor’s got me working late tonight”. Heard mostly in London.
What do Gypsies call the police?
Gavver. Another word used to describe policeman or policewoman that comes from the Romany Gypsy word ‘garav’ which means hide.
What language do British Gypsy speak?
Angloromani
The English Gypsies speak Angloromani (or, as it is known amongst themselves, ‘Romanes’), deriving from European Romani, which itself takes origin in the Indo-Aryan languages of the Indian Subcontinent; the Irish Gypsies speak ‘Shelta’ or ‘Gammon’ (as it is known within academia) or ‘Cant’ (as it is known within the
What do Gypsies call themselves now?
“Roma” is the word (ethnonym) that the Roma use to describe themselves: it is the term for the members of that specific people and it is Romani for “man”. “Gypsy” is a derogatory, disparaging term – for many an insult — used by the majority population to define the Roma people.
Why do Bradford people say mush?
‘Mush’ is a slang term which is often used to refer to a friend or an acquaintance. Its usage is particularly common in the north of England, with ‘yes mush’ a familiar greeting in Bradford. The word has its origins in an old Romany Gypsy dialect, which is still spoken by some travellers to this day.
What do locals call Portsmouth?
Pompey
Later when the port started to be developed locals nicknamed it Pompey, likening it to Pompeii which was well known for its Roman ruins. Pomp and ceremony. The pomp and ceremony connected with the Royal Navy based at Portsmouth led to the adoption of the nickname, Pompey.
What does Dinlo mean in Gypsy?
3 — Dinlo. A lighthearted insult which means fool. The term has its roots among the Romany gypsies. 4 — Squinny. To complain.