Monger
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monger¹
- /ˈmʌŋɡə/ UK
- /ˈmʌŋɡəɹ/ US
- /ˈmɑŋ-/ US
Rhymes with -ʌŋɡə(ɹ)
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from Middle English mongere, mangere (“dealer, merchant, trader”), from Old English mangere (“dealer, merchant, trader”), from Proto-West Germanic *mangārī (“dealer, merchant, monger”), from Latin mangō (“dealer, trader”) + Proto-West Germanic *-ārī (suffix forming agent nouns, especially denoting occupations). The further etymology of mangō is uncertain; the following possibilities have been suggested:
* From Ancient Greek μαγγανεύω (manganeúō, “to use charms or philtres; to cheat, play tricks; to dress food artificially to make it appear better”), from μάγγᾰνον (mángănon, “means of bewitching, charm, philtre”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *meng- (“to dress, embellish, trim”); or from Arabic ن ج ل (n j l, root relating to pouring out or thrusting)) + -εύω (-eúō, suffix forming denominative verbs of activity or condition).
* From Latin *manicō, *manigō (“deal, trade; to handle, manage (?)”), from manus (“hand”); further etymology uncertain, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂- (“to beckon, signal”), or *mon-u-.
The verb is either derived from the noun, or is a back-formation from mongering (adjective or noun).
noun mongers
- A dealer or trader in a specific commodity. [S]ometime one rich munger or other, buying up a commoditie, and bringing it vvholly into his ovvne hands for to have the monopolie of it, raiſeth the market, and enhaunceth the price: […]
- A person promoting something, especially an undesirable thing. There is a man haunts the Forreſt, that abuſes our yong plants vvith caruing Roſalinde on their barkes; hangs Oades vpon Hauthornes, and Elegies on brambles; all (forſooth) defying the name of Roſalinde. If I could meet that Fancie-monger, I vvould giue him ſome good counſel, for he ſeemes to have t
- Clipping of whoremonger (“a frequent customer of whores”).whoremonger Here vvas no ſubtle device to get a VVench. / This Chanon [i.e., canon, member of the clergy] has a brave pate of his ovvn! / A ſhaven pate! and a right monger, y' vaith!
verb mongers · mongering · mongered
- To deal in, peddle, or sell (something). There were Mongols hawking sheepskins and Chinese vending calendars and pocket calculators, North Koreans flogging jewelry and Vietnamese mongering shirts and leather jackets.
- To promote (something, especially an undesirable thing); to peddle. She [Grace Kelly] was beautiful and elegant but, above all, good. […] Not even Hedda Hopper could monger scandal in her regard.
monger²
- /ˈmʌŋɡə/ UK
- /ˈmʌŋɡəɹ/ US
- /ˈmɑŋ-/ US
Rhymes with -ʌŋɡə(ɹ)
Where it comes from
Origin uncertain, possibly from monger (“dealer or trader in a specific commodity”) (etymology 1); or related to Middle English mangbot (“type of fishing boat used on the Thames”).
noun mongers
- A small seagoing vessel used for fishing. [C]erteyne Fyſhermen that go a trawlyng for fyſhe in Catches or mongers, and dradgies for Oyſters about the ſandes, […]
Monger³
proper noun Mongers
- A surname.
