mummery

English

From Middle French momerie, mommerie, from Old French mommer.

mummery (countable and uncountable, plural mummeries)

(now chiefly historical) Mumming; disguising oneself to perform as a mummer, or to take part in some other festivities or performance. [from 15th c.]
- 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:
  I say the sewer thought I was dressed to bear a part in the tregetour’s mummery, and so I got admission
A ridiculous or ostentatious ceremony, formerly especially of a religious nature; extravagant or hypocritical performance. [from 16th c.]
- 1789, John Moore, Zeluco, Valancourt 2008, p. 41:
  All this affectation and mummery was in due time overcome, and Zeluco's nuptials with the widow were celebrated in form.
- 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXX, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], OCLC 1000392275, page 83:
  Because it is more simple, and, in its simplicity, becomes sublime to a mind like her's—in my days of darkness I did not like the ceremonies of the church, but classed them with silly mummeries, hardening my heart against that which I did not understand—now you would have no such feelings to contend with...
- 1951, Isaac Asimov, Foundation:
  Why, you unweaned cub, he believes in that mummery a good deal less than I do, and I don't believe in it at all.

mummer's performance

silly ceremony