Hi, Tamara and other Spiders, My daughter sent your lace-chat (included below my note) about 'Mugwump', so I just had to reply. First, background. I'm 54, a math teacher living in North Pole, Alaska, but I come from solid Southern roots. My father was born and raised in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, where I spent my best summers and vacations.
The only definition I've ever seen for 'Mugwump' is the political one. However, I have called my grandchildren 'the Mugwumps' since the first one was born 12 years ago. "My" definition is somewhat along these lines: A Mugwump is a sweet little thing with rapscallion tendencies. I'll even confess to using the term when talking to my favorite dog. The two-sidedness of the original word, that bit about sitting on the fence, is still present, since children and critter Mugwumps are so sweet they'd break your heart with it while being mischievous enough to be lots of fun. To my thinking, being a Mugwump is a fine, fine thing. I'd love to hear some of the other explanations you receive. Perhaps you can have a Mugwumps United newsletter! Best to you, Tanya Cunningham "Whatever happens. Whatever is inevitable. Whatever always differs from what was. Be at peace in the Whatever." ... Sheri S. Tepper > Gentle Spiders, > > Recently, a new word appeared on my horizon: mugwump >> > > "mugwump" n, 1) Often capital M. A Republican who bolted his party in > > 1884, refusing to support James. G. Blaine as candidate for the U.S. > > presidency (so, who won??? <g>). 2) Any person who acts independently, > > especially in politics. [Natick "mugquomp", "mugwomp", "captain"] - > > mugwumpery n. > > 1) Are you familiar with the word (and how/from whom did you learn it)? > 2) What does it mean to *you*? > 3) Where are you in the US (or, where did your source come from)? > > > ----- > Tamara P Duvall > To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED]
