mugwump /ˈmʌɡwʌmp/noun 6verb 2forms 4 noun6 •A person who purports to stay aloof from party politics. •(US, informal) A person who stays neutral or non-committal; a fence sitter; also, a person who maintains an aloof and often self-important demeanour.Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke [...] whom the papers are making such a fuss about. — 1935 •(US, historical) A member of the Republican Party who declined to support the party's nominee James G. Blaine (1830–1893) during the 1884 United States presidential election, believing him to be corrupt, and instead supported the Democratic Party's candidate Grover Cleveland (1837–1908). •(humorous) A (male) leader; an important (male) person. •(US, Australia) One who switches from supporting one political party to another, especially for personal benefit. •(Australia) A foolish person.‘I very much doubt whether they’ll be able to make this pot-walloping mugwump of an Abbot understand their wire-drawn deductions,’ said Silvander Dan. — 1936 verb2 •(US) To behave like a mugwump. •(US) To purport to stay aloof and independent, especially from party politics. formsmugwumped · mugwumping · mugwumps · Mugwumps
