Mum
mid 17th century: abbreviation of mummy2. Compare with mom.
wiktionary
Alternative form of mam, or an abbreviation of mummy. Compare mom, mama.
Abbreviation of chrysanthemum.
From Middle English mum or mom(“silent”), reminiscent of the sound made when gagged or with a hand over one's mouth. Perhaps related to dated German Mumme(“mask”).
German Mumme, named after Christian Mumme, who first brewed it in 1492.
etymonline
mum (interj.)
"be silent," 1560s, from a verb mum (Middle English mommen) "make silent" (c. 1400); "be silent" (mid-15c.), from mum, mom (late 14c.), "an inarticulate closed-mouth sound" indicative of unwillingness or inability to speak, probably imitative. As an adjective meaning "secret" or "silent" from 1520s. Phrase mum's the word is recorded by 1704.
mum (n.1)
abbreviation of chrysanthemum, by 1915 in the jargon of gardeners.
mum (n.2)
pet word for "mother," 1823, short for mummy (see mamma). In British sociology, used from 1957 in reference to "the working class mother as an influence in the lives of her children." Also sometimes a vulgar corruption of madam or ma'am.
