mugwump

Where does the word "mugwump" come from? It comes from Massachusett mugquomp, and was adopted directly into English (1830s-1884).

Mugwump’s story begins in Massachusett: mugquomp meant “a great chief, war leader.” Meant a war leader or great chief; recorded by missionary John Eliot in his 1663 Bible translation. It reached English by 1830s-1884 as mugwump. Revived humorously in American English, later applied to Republicans who bolted the party in 1884. Today, mugwump means a person, especially a politician, who remains independent or neutral rather than following party lines.

1. Stage 1 · Massachusett · 1600s mugquomp "a great chief, war leader", meant a war leader or great chief; recorded by missionary John Eliot in his 1663 Bible translation.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1830s-1884 mugwump "a person who acts independently of their political party", revived humorously in American English, later applied to Republicans who bolted the party in 1884.