An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Mumme

by Friedrich Kluge

Mumme (1.), feminine, ‘mum (kind of beer),’ Modern High German only, whence Dutch nom, English mum. The word is usually derived from Christian Mumme of Brunswick, who first brewed this beer in the year 1492.

Mumme (2.), feminine, ‘mask, masked person, disguise,’ first occurs in early Modern High German; compare Dutch mom, ‘mask, mummery,’ English to mumm, to which is allied Old French momer, ‘to masquerade,’ Modern French momerie, ‘mummery’; they are probably connected with an old verbal stem, mum, ‘to buzz, growl.’ Compare Dutch mommelen, ‘to mumble, grumble,’ Middle English mummen, ‘to roar,’ English to mumble, Modern High German mummeln.