No, seriously. It is.
Furthermore, it's one of those great words that doesn't mean what it sounds like it should. I don't know if there's a word to describe those kind of words, but I think there should be. 'Antiphononym', or something like that, literally meaning 'opposite of sound word'. My Greek is right up there with my the Lat, clearly.
Anyway, hugger-mugger sounds to me like it's the kind of word that would describe a person who would appear to be your hugger, but is actually your mugger. Sort of like a frenemy, but perhaps more antagonistic, like a betrayer? Maybe they are literally mugging you for your hugs, the devious cads.
A hugger-mugger should be the kind of person who threatens who with death unless you hug you them, and then once you're dead, they'll hug you anyway.
But no. In actuality, it has two meanings, and neither of them are anything like that. The first meaning is 'disorder or confusion'.
...and the second meaning is 'secrecy'.
So what's up with that, hugger-mugger? I guess I am confused about the secrets behind why such a cool phrase is being wasted on such rubbish definitions, but beyond that, we may never make any more sense out of this.
Other interesting things I learnt today:
- Mangoes grow on the flowering plants Mangifera, which are part of the chashew family
- The chemistry textbook 'Atkins and Shriver' was written by Atkins and his colleagues, none of whom were named Shriver, but one of whom was named...
- ...'LeGrande Slaughter'. Someone named 'LeGrande Slaughter' actually legit exists. This world is amazing.
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