It means to be drab, homely or old-fashioned – ‘motherly’, essentially. Why can’t we have some respect for mothers, instead of deriding them? A recent newspaper headline – “Sorry Radley!

Source: [Guardian International](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/25/dont-call-me-mumsy-contempt-makes-me-livid-respect-mothers)

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