Mulish: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from 'mule', an animal known for its stubbornness, combined with the suffix 'ish', meaning 'like' or 'having the quality of'.
• It has been used in the English language since the early 16th century to describe people who are obstinately resistant to change.
• Various languages have similar words; for instance, in Spanish, 'terco' conveys a similar meaning of stubbornness.

Pop Culture

• In literature, characters described as mulish often create conflict due to their inability to compromise, such as in Shakespeare's plays.
• The term is often used in movies and television to illustrate a humorous take on stubborn characters, highlighting their quirks and weaknesses.
• Comics and cartoons frequently feature mulish characters who comically refuse to acknowledge better ideas from others.

Psychology

• Stubbornness can sometimes stem from a deep-seated fear of change or a need to maintain control over situations.
• Research shows that people described as mulish may struggle with cognitive rigidity, making it difficult to see issues from other perspectives.
• In behavioral psychology, stubbornness can be a defense mechanism to avoid feelings of vulnerability or inadequacy.

Everyday Use

• When someone is described as mulish, it's often used in a lighthearted, teasing manner among friends.
• In arguments, if one side won’t budge, others might jokingly call them 'mulish' to highlight their stubbornness.
• The term is sometimes used in the workplace to describe team members who refuse to adopt new methods or technologies.