Q I am curious as to the origin of the word “mutt,” meaning “a dog of mixed breed.” – C. T., Warren, Massachusetts
A: Tracing “mutt” back to its origins involves many centuries and two additional species, one with four legs and the other with two. We begin with “moton,” a word ultimately of Celtic origin (it is related to the Welsh “mollt,” meaning “a ram”) that was used in Old French to mean “a sheep” and “the flesh of a sheep used for food.”
Borrowed into Middle English as “motoun” with these senses at about the beginning of the 14th century, the word eventually came to be spelled “mutton.” Its “sheep” sense had fallen into disuse in English by the end of the 19th century, but its “food” sense, of course, continues in use today.
The word “muttonhead,” was first recorded as a slang term in 1803.
It wasn’t until about a hundred years later that the shortened form “mutt” first appeared, originally with the sense “a stupid or foolish person.” Its use in referring to dogs followed soon afterward.
Q Is it true that the word “lobby” in its political sense comes from “lobby” meaning the entry room of a building? – J. L., Scott City, Kansas
A: Yes, the political “lobby” does indeed derive from the architectural “lobby,” and specifically from the sense meaning “an anteroom to a legislative chamber.” In connection with politics and government, “lobby” means “a group of persons representing a special interest who attempt to influence public officials, especially legislators, about legislation.” This sense of “lobby” developed from the custom of engaging in such activity in the lobby outside of a legislative assembly room.
As early as 1640 in England, “the Lobby” referred in particular to the entrance hall of the House of Commons. The hall was open to the public, and there, citizens could address members of Parliament free of formal procedures.
Legislative antechambers have been a favorite site for politicking in this country as well, and the use of “lobby” to mean a group of persons representing a special interest is an Americanism dating back to a time at least as early as 1808. Present in the record of Congressional debates of that year is the statement, “If we move to Philadelphia we shall have a commanding lobby.”
By 1837 the verb “to lobby” was in use, and by 1863 “lobbyist” was the standard term for a practitioner of this activity.
During the 19th century, lobbyists were widely considered little better than political scoundrels.
This column was prepared by the editors of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition. Readers may send questions to Merriam-Webster’s Wordwatch, P.O. Box 281, 47 Federal St., Springfield, MA 01102.
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