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Mugwump

2 stages from Massachusett to English.

Today it means a person, especially a politician, who remains independent or neutral rather than following party lines

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

mugquomp→mugwump

Massachusett · 1600s

"a great chief, war leader"

meant a war leader or great chief; recorded by missionary John Eliot in his 1663 Bible translation

English · 1830s-1884

"a person who acts independently of their political party"

revived humorously in American English, later applied to Republicans who bolted the party in 1884

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