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Dec 6, 2009
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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—M

Mumping Day

St. Thomas's Day, December 21. A day on which the poor used to go about begging, or, as it was called, “going a-gooding,” that is, getting gifts to procure good things for Christmas (mump, to beg).

In Warwickshire the term used was “going a-corning,” i.e. getting gifts of corn. In Staffordshire the custom is spoken of simply as “a-gooding.” (See Mumpers.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Munchausen
Mumpers
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More on Mumping Day from Infoplease:

  • Mumping Day - Mumping Day St. Thomas's Day, December 21. A day on which the poor used to go about begging, ...
  • Mumpers - Mumpers Beggars, Leland calls it a gipsy word. In Norwich, Christmas waits used to be called ...
  • Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: M - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "M"
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