San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-19
Mumpsimus
BY II, AddingtOn Bruce.

l Dy H. stuuih6tUh ~ ucc.
1t is rich, full-sounding word is
mumpsimus. 1t is word, too, neat
and precise in its significance. That
it has been permitted to slip out Of
the language, until today it is CLASH
fled with obsolete words, is to me a
thing incomprehensible.
For no word has been coined 10
take its place. Yet the need for a
word such as mumpsimus is as great
as ever it was-perhaps greater.
Let me recall, if you please, its deri-
walton.
Centuries and centuries ago there
was a monk who persistently misread
in his breviary the Latin word
"sumpsimus," pronouncing it as
though it were spelled "mumpsimus. -
His error was pointed out to him by
kindly superiors, but he would not
brook correction by them.
"Have it 'sumpsimus,' if you like"
was his retort. but / was taught
'mumpsimus,' and to me it will be
'mumpsinIus 70 the end of my days. >
Everybody laughed at the monk for
his stubborn adherence to a false idea.
Gradually his. "mumpsimus" came
into usage TO connote imperviousness
to correction. So that we find Lati-
mer. for example, writing:
"Some be So obstinate in their old
mumpsimus that they cannot abide
the true doctrine of God"
,,a.I e :
sinus today?
Not in theology only, but in poll
tics, in economics, in sociology, in
business, in thinking, and in conduct
generally, there are no end of people
to whom "mumpsimus" may we'll be
applied.
Here is man who insists that the
members OF a certain race are in.
nately inferior to the race TO which
he belongs. 1t il pointed out TO him
that the people of that race may sim
ply lack the environmental and edu-
cational advantages his own race has
enjoyed; and that. given these. the
seeming inferiority might soon be
swept away.
To such an argument he calmly re-
spends:
"Maybe so, but you can never get
me to believe it. Ny father and my
grandfather, all those who helped to
rear me, taught me that the people of
that race were inferior, and / accept
their teachings. so long as / live
that race will be inferior to my way
Of thinking"
And here is another man who holds
that none who belongs TO a particu
lar religious sect can be a good citi-
zen.
"But," it is pointed out to him.
"the behavior of those in that sect
makes it clear they not only can be
but are good citizens. They think as
good citizens should with regard 10
matters vital to the state. They talk
and vote and work as good citizens
should to strengthen the state"
Nevertheless" says he. my faith
er and my grandfather. all those who
helped to rear me. taught me that the
people Of that faith could not posi-
bly, be good citizens. and to me they
never can be good citizens"
Isn't there place for "mumpsi-
mus" in the language of the TWEEN
tieth century?
Isn't there a use for mumpsimus."
need for exclaiming the word Wig
orously. seemingly, when we fall into
converse with an adherent of ancient
falsities and bigotries. or hear ancient
falsities and bigotries proclaimed from
public platforms?
"Mumpsimus. Mumpsimus! Mump-
simus." is a reproach which, verify
believe, If used as freely as it ought
TO be used, would soon clear the So
cial atmosphere Of much that is in
imical to national solidarity and safe
ty. Bring mumpsimus back, 1 urge,
into popular usage.
1t will help to solve many a prob
lem now threatening that unity Of
thought and sentiment which every
people must have il they aspire to
gain or to retain conspicuous po-
sition in the civilized world.
Copyright. 1898. by The Associated
Newspapers.)
-|>