hugger-mugger

== English == === Alternative forms === huggermugger hucker-mucker, hoker-moker (obsolete) === Etymology === Unknown; perhaps from Anglo-Irish cuggermugger (“a whispering, a low-voiced gossiping”), from Irish cogar (“whisper”). Compare also Scots hudge-mudge, hody-moke, Swedish mjugg (“stealth, secrecy”). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhʌɡ.əˌmʌɡ.ə/, /ˌhʌɡ.əˈmʌɡ.ə/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈhʌɡ.ɚˌmʌɡ.ɚ/ === Adjective === hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger) Secret, clandestine, sly. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:covert Disorderly, chaotic, confused. ==== Derived terms ==== === Noun === hugger-mugger (uncountable) (archaic) Secrecy. Disorder. === Adverb === hugger-mugger (comparative more hugger-mugger, superlative most hugger-mugger) Secretly. Confusedly, in a muddle. === Verb === hugger-mugger (third-person singular simple present hugger-muggers, present participle hugger-muggering, simple past and past participle hugger-muggered) To meet or act secretly. === See also === hudder-mudder