E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mumpers.
Beggars, Leland calls it a gipsy word. In Norwich, Christmas waits used to be called “Mumpers.” In Lincolnshire, “Boxing-day” is called Mumping-day (q.v.). To mump is to beg. Beggars are called the “Mumping Society.”
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“A parcel of wretches hopping about by the assistance of their crutches, like so many Lincoln’s Inn Fields mumpers, drawing into a body to attack [infest or beset] the coach of some charitable lord.”—Ned Ward: The London Spy, part v.
