If someone asked you to keep schtum, it would mean that they didn’t want you to say anything as it might get you into trouble. According to Phrases.org.uk schtum possibly comes from the German word stumm meaning silent.
Oxforddictionaries.com state that the German word stumm is of Yiddish origin (1950s). They also explain that schtum (or shtum) can be an adjective or a verb.
Adjective
As an adjective it means ‘silent ‘and ‘non-communicative’
Example: I asked her to keep schtum about my lottery win.
Verb (schtum, schummed, schtumming)
As a verb it means ‘be or become quiet and non-communicative’.
Example: Jean schtummed up when I mentioned the fraudulent activity on the account.
Variations of the way it’s spelt:
- schtum
- stumm
- shtoom
- shtum
If you use the word, how do you spell it?
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
www.sandramadeira.com
My Writing Notebook 
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