MAWWORM Meaning and
Definition
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Mawworm is a term that originated in the 18th century and refers to a person who is excessively pious, hypocritical, or self-righteous in their religious beliefs or behavior. The term is often used sarcastically or pejoratively to describe someone who outwardly displays devotion to religious principles but may lack sincerity or genuine faith.
A mawworm is characterized by their overt piety and religious zeal, often going to great lengths to demonstrate their righteousness to others. They may engage in ostentatious displays of religious devotion, such as frequent prayer or publicly reciting religious texts, in an attempt to appear holier than thou.
However, a mawworm's actions may be seen as insincere or hypocritical to those around them. Their exaggerated religious behavior can be perceived as an attempt to gain praise, attention, or to hide their own faults or transgressions. The term "mawworm" carries a negative connotation, implying that the individual's apparent religiosity is superficial or hypocritical.
This term is often used in satirical or critical contexts to highlight the discrepancy between a person's outward display of religious devotion and their actual moral character. It serves as a cautionary term against the dangers of hypocrisy and superficial piety in religious practice.
Common Misspellings for MAWWORM
- nawworm
- kawworm
- jawworm
- mzwworm
- mswworm
- mwwworm
- mqwworm
- maqworm
- maaworm
- masworm
- maeworm
- ma3worm
- ma2worm
- mawqorm
- mawaorm
- mawsorm
- maweorm
- maw3orm
- maw2orm
- mawwirm
Etymology of MAWWORM
The word "Mawworm" originated from the play "The Hypocrite" written by Isaac Bickerstaffe in 1768. In the play, Reverend Mawworm is a hypocritical character who pretends to be very religious, but behaves immorally in private. The name "Mawworm" is a combination of two words: "maw", referring to the stomach or appetite, and "worm", which represents something small, lowly, or parasitic. Thus, the name suggests a character who appears pious but is ultimately driven by base desires. Over time, "Mawworm" came to be used more generally to refer to hypocritical or sanctimonious individuals.
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