Originally Posted By: Myridon
According http://www.etymonline.com:
"In terms of recorded usage in Eng., mum is from 1823,


Not according to the OED, which has a 1595 citation, nearly 200 years before the US War of Independence.

Quote:
?1595 in N. & Q. (1994) Dec. 454/2 Poore little Moll, poore helples needy mum A fathers & a husbandes hart doth grone In diepe conceipt of your distressed mone. 1653 M. WHITELOCKE Let. 25 Nov. in R. Spalding Contemp. B. Whitelocke (1990) 442 Samm..sayes dad is gon in the boate to fawly Court[.] H[e]..sees me soe malencholly, he says he will have a new Mum. 1781 J. MOORE Let. 12 June (Hampshire Rec. Office: IM44/147/6) 3 [I] conclude by assuring you I remain as usual Your Ever Affectionate Mum.

noho ora mai
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