marmite

substantivization of Old French marmite (hypocrite) attested in 1223. compound word of mite ('cat' see chattemite) and the onomatopoeic element marm-, which gives marmonner, marmotter, marmot, marmouset). the shift in meaning is explained by the fact that the marmite, deep and closed with a lid, hides its contents from the curious, unlike the pan, flat and open. compare with German topfgucker, French fouillaupot ('curious').