A member of a travelling troupe of actors originally from the British Isles that performed seasonal
folk plays. They occasionally perform in the streets, although their more usual style is house-to-house and in public centers. They are also known by other names (mostly regional) such as rhymers,
pace-eggers, soulers, tipteerers, galoshins, and guisers.
The word & concept was recently brought back into American pop culture'
s attention with the 1997 release of Loreena Mckennitt's
hit song "The Mummer's
Dance" on her album The Book of Secrets.
Cindy: Oooh! This song is really nice! What's it called?
Hairstylist: Yeah, it's called "The Mummer's
Dance". It's by Loreena Mckennitt.
Cindy: Ah. What's a mummer?
Hairstylist: I... don't know. I've
never even heard the word before I listened to this song.
Genial Irishman: They're travelling actors, me fair lasses.
Cindy & Hairstylist:
Oh... Like, awesome!