Origin. This probably derives from the German word stumm meaning silent. The phrase keep schtum (variously spelled ‘keep stumm’, ‘keep ’keep shtoom’, ‘keep schtum’ etc.) is British and fairly recent. It has the sound of a Yiddish phrase but it is more likely that it originated in the UK criminal community.
Origin. This probably derives from the German word stumm meaning silent. The phrase keep schtum (variously spelled ‘keep stumm’, ‘keep ’keep shtoom’, ‘keep schtum’ etc.) is British and fairly recent. It has the sound of a Yiddish phrase but it is more likely that it originated in the UK criminal community.