Mutter: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• This word comes from the Old English 'mutteran', which means 'to speak indistinctly'.
• The word has German roots, where 'murren' translates to 'to murmur' or 'growl', highlighting its soft sound.
• The first known use was recorded in the 16th century, demonstrating a long history in the English language.

Psychology

• Muttering can indicate feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction, often a way to express emotions without direct confrontation.
• Some psychologists suggest that people who mutter may be experiencing internal conflict, using quiet speech as a coping mechanism.
• It's a common human behavior that happens more when individuals feel anxious or insecure in social situations.

Literature

• In classic literature, characters often mutter to convey their inner thoughts, adding depth to their emotional state.
• Notable authors like Charles Dickens frequently used the act of muttering to illustrate character's moods and tensions.
• Muttering is frequently depicted in dialogue to show characters’ discomfort or secrecy, enhancing narrative tension.

Pop Culture

• Muttering is often used in movies and television to signify a character's secret thoughts, adding to dramatic irony.
• In comic books, muttering can represent a character's internal speech, providing insight into their thoughts without speech bubbles.
• Popular characters—like the grumpy grouch in various cartoons—often mutter to emphasize their cantankerous nature.

Positioned at #21,732, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 21729 trickery
• 21730 impoverishment
• 21731 quanta
• 21732 mutter
• 21733 forgo
• 21734 redemptive
• 21735 italicized
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