What does mummery mean?
A mummery is originally a ceremonial or theatrical performance in which participants wear masks, conceal their identities, and engage in exaggerated, symbolic, or fantastic behaviour. Such performances are particularly associated with medieval and early modern European festivals, although the word also survives in modern phrases such as “make a mummery of,” where it describes a pretentious or meaningless show. The expression can imply that an official or solemn-looking process lacks substance: a meeting may be dismissed as a mummery if it produces only theatre and no genuine result. Although the literal masked performance is now largely historical, mummery retains a vivid figurative sense. It is especially useful when describing activity that outwardly resembles a serious ritual, celebration, or proceeding but is judged to be absurd, deceptive, or hollow.
nounA ceremony or theatrical performance involving masks, disguise, and often exaggerated or fantastic behaviour. By extension, it can mean a pretentious show or a meaningless pretence.
- A pretentious or elaborate ceremony, show, or display.
- A performance involving masked actors, disguise, and theatrical spectacle, especially in a medieval or traditional context.
"The festival began with a lively mummery in which dancers appeared beneath grotesque masks."
"The committee had turned the consultation into a mummery, with all its consultation and no meaningful change."
"A medieval mummery entered the hall, its performers concealed behind painted masks."
The plural adds -ies to form mummeries.
"The novel describes the village’s annual festivals and masked mummeries."
Long before Halloween, masked mummers roamed medieval Europe with stories, satire, and mischief hidden behind their faces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mummery
The word dates from the late Middle English forms momerie and mommerie, meaning a masked performance or festival. These developed through Old French momerie and are connected with mummer, a performer who took part in such entertainments. The ultimate origin of the masking term is uncertain, though it has been associated with Middle Dutch. Modern figurative senses developed from the idea of mumming as spectacle, imitation, or pretence.
How mummery is actually used
The word is literary and somewhat archaic. In modern figurative use, especially in the phrase “make a mummery of,” it usually conveys criticism of something presented as serious or meaningful but actually empty or farcical.
Easily confused with mummery
A mummery is a masked ceremony or theatrical performance, whereas a mummy is a preserved human body or a person’s informal affectionate nickname.