mum

Everyday

1. Mum is the British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand word for mother. tree →
2. «Keep mum» means keep quiet and say nothing. tree →
3. (casual) Children shout «Mum!» or «Mu-um!» to call or complain; «mummy» is for small children, «mam» in Ireland, Wales and northern England. tree →
4. (UK slang) «Your mum» is a playground put-down or joke; it is rude and not about anybody's real mother. tree →
5. (formal) «Mother», «parent» or «guardian» is used in official writing: «a parent or guardian must sign». tree →
6. A mum is also a short name for a chrysanthemum flower (US). tree →

In the lessons

a person in the story who buys, gives, bakes or shares things; in everyday life children call their mother Mum (Mom in the USA and Canada, Mam in Ireland); in casual talk «me mum», «my mum'll kill me»; in the exam voice «the mother» or «a parent»; phrases «Mum and Dad», «keep mum», «Mother's Day» (Mum's day), «mum's the word», «stay-at-home mum»

Examples

• Mum bought 6 apples. tree →
• Her mum gave her 2 pounds. tree →
• Mum baked 3 trays of 12 buns. tree →
• Tom helps his mum carry 4 bags. tree →
• Mum, can I go to Lily's house? tree →
• My mum and dad came to the school play. tree →
• Keep mum about the surprise party! tree →
• Ask your mum if you can stay for tea. tree →
• muuum where's my other shoe (casual) tree →
• me mum'll kill me if I'm late again, it's 5 to 6 (casual, UK) tree →
• Mum's the word, nobody tell him about the cake. tree →
• The pupil's mother purchased 6 apples and subsequently 4 more; determine the aggregate quantity purchased. (formal exam) tree →
• “Good morning, mum,” says Jack, as bold as brass, “could you be so good as to give me something to eat?” tree →

Note

A person who acts, not a number. Same as mother or mom (US, Canada) or mam (Ireland). No operation clue by itself. Write «Mum» with a capital when it is used as a name: «Thanks, Mum.» but «my mum». «Keep mum» and «mum's the word» mean keep a secret. «Me mum» (casual UK, Ireland, Australia) = my mum. «Your mum» jokes are insults, never facts. Trap: when counting people at a table, Mum counts as one person too.