Definition of the word mummer

The word "mummer" has its origins in ancient Roman times, during which people performed plays and enactments in masks and costumes as part of street theater and celebratory events. The Latin term for such performances was "comплаcitor," which translates to "one who plays a part." Over time, the tradition of masked performances spread to other parts of Europe, including Britain. In medieval England, masked dramas and revelries were a part of the annual Christmas celebrations. These plays, known as "plays of the sheep," told the story of the nativity, with participants wearing sheep masks and cloaks to symbolize the sheep brought as gifts to the infant Jesus. The term "mummer" first appeared in the late 15th century, with reference to "disguised revelers" who went door-to-door during the Christmas season, performing short plays and demanding ale or money as payment. The word may have derived from the Old French "momer," meaning "to make a noise," which suggests the rowdy and lively nature of these revelers. Today, the tradition of mumming and wassailing continues in some areas of the British Isles, where groups of mummers don traditional costumes and perform plays, often incorporating local folklore and legends into their stories. As a reminder of its ancient origins, many mummers' plays still feature sheepskins and other improvised costumes, carrying on a tradition that dates back centuries.