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A.Word.A.Day--mumpsimus Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio mumpsimus (MUMP-suh-muhs) noun 1. Adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy. 2. A person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice. [From a story, which perhaps originated with Erasmus, of an illiterate priest who said mumpsimus rather than sumpsimus (1st plural perfect indicative of Latin sumere to pick up) while reciting the liturgy, and refused to change the word when corrected] "This mumpsimus ascends the highest heaven of invention, but does not hold up under the applicable case law or the facts." Ann McGuire, The quality of mercy is not strained, Michigan Law Review, Feb 1999. This week's theme: eponyms. X-Bonus Contentment consisteth not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire. -Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)

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