Word: mumbletoning
(verb)
Definition: The act of mumbling along to the melody of a song when you don’t know—or can’t remember—the lyrics, but still want to join in.
Example:
"She was totally mumbletoning her way through that 90s ballad, and it was glorious."
Origin:
The word mumbletoning was coined in 1999 by Gemsgems during a hilariously hazy drive to her Saturday job at Miss Selfridge. Hungover and half-functioning, she found herself making vague, tuneful noises to a song by The Corrs. When her college mate asked what on earth she was doing, she blurted out, "I’m mumbletoning!"—and just like that, a word was born. It’s been part of her vocabulary (and her hangovers) ever since.
(verb)
Definition: The act of mumbling along to the melody of a song when you don’t know—or can’t remember—the lyrics, but still want to join in.
Example:
"She was totally mumbletoning her way through that 90s ballad, and it was glorious."
Origin:
The word mumbletoning was coined in 1999 by Gemsgems during a hilariously hazy drive to her Saturday job at Miss Selfridge. Hungover and half-functioning, she found herself making vague, tuneful noises to a song by The Corrs. When her college mate asked what on earth she was doing, she blurted out, "I’m mumbletoning!"—and just like that, a word was born. It’s been part of her vocabulary (and her hangovers) ever since.
by Gemgems April 11, 2025