Keep it a secret · Don't tell anyone
This is a super handy phrase for when you've shared some juicy gossip or a personal secret and want to make sure it stays under wraps! 🤐 It's like saying, "Keep this between us!" without sounding too formal. Perfect for when you trust your friend to be your personal secret keeper! 😉
💡 **Origin Story!** This expression is believed to come from Shakespeare's play *Henry VI, Part II* (around the 1590s), where a character says, "Seal up your lips and give no words but mum." 'Mum' itself is an old interjection meaning to be silent or quiet. So, next time you use it, you're practically quoting Shakespeare! How cool is that? ✨
When is the most appropriate time to use 'Mum's the word'? A. 🗣️ When you want to loudly announce a new policy at work. B. 🤫 When you tell a friend a surprise party plan and want them to keep it secret. C. 👋 When you are greeting someone you haven't seen in a while.