The spelling of the word "monger" may seem odd to some, but it is actually quite straightforward when using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is spelled /ˈmʌŋɡər/ with the "o" pronounced as "uh" and the "e" as "er." The root of the word, "mong," means "merchant" or "trader," making a "monger" someone who deals in a particular commodity. The word is often used in negative contexts, such as "fearmonger" or "hate monger," indicating someone who is spreading fear or hate for personal gain.
A monger is generally defined as a seller or a trader, particularly one who engages in the buying and selling of specific goods or commodities. However, the term often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is involved in the promotion or sale of something undesirable, or that they are exploiting a specific trade for their own gain.
The term "monger" is often used in combination with a specific word to describe a person who specializes in selling a particular type of product. For example, a fishmonger is someone who sells fish, and an ironmonger is a dealer in iron goods. This usage of the term indicates a person who is knowledgeable or experienced in the trade of that particular good.
Additionally, the word "monger" is sometimes used metaphorically to describe someone who spreads or promotes an undesirable or harmful concept, often for their own gain. For instance, a fearmonger is someone who encourages unnecessary fear or panic for personal or political advantage. Similarly, a warmonger is someone who advocates for or encourages war.
In summary, a monger is someone who engages in the buying and selling of goods, often with a specific product specialization. While the term can be used neutrally to describe a trader, it is often used pejoratively to characterize someone who engages in exploitative practices or promotes undesirable ideas.
A dealer; a trader-now used only as the second element in a compound, as fishmonger.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word monger comes from the Old English word mongere, which means merchant or trader. It is derived from the Old English verb mongian, meaning to trade or to traffic. The word has been present in the English language since at least the 12th century. Monger is often used as a suffix in compound words to refer to a person who deals or trades in a specific commodity, such as fishmonger, ironmonger, or warmonger.