mumpsimus

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On being remonstrated with, he retorted that "He would not leave his old _mumpsimus_ for their new _sumpsimus_."

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  1. An error obstinately clung to; a prejudice. Some be to stiffe in their old mumpsimus, others be to busy and curious in their newe sumpsimus. Hall, Hen. VIII., f. 261. (Halliwell.) Mere chance of circumstances is their infallible determinator of the true and the false, and, somehow, it cannot but be that their old mumpsimus is preferable to any new sumpsimus. F. Hall, Mod. Eng., p. 137.

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Etymologies (1)

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  1. A term originating in the story of an ignorant priest who in saying his mass had long said mumpsimus for sumpsimus, and who, when his error was pointed out, replied, “I am not going to change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus.” The story evidently refers to the post-communion prayer “Quod ore sumpsimus,” etc.
 

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