Bum-Curtain, an old name for academical gowns when they were worn scant and short, especially those of the students of St. John’s College.—Camb. Univ. Any ragged or short academical gown.
Bummarees, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from the French BONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—marée fraîche, vendeur de marée.”—Dict. de l’Acad. Franc. The BUMMAREES are accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, to BUMMAREE one is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One of the advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—
“Touching Advice from the OFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—
“Of Monies to be taken up, or delivered on Botto-maria, commonly called Bomarie.
“Of money to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.
—The Publick Intelligencer, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.
Bummer, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances. In California, men who profess to be journalists, and so obtain free dinners and drinks, are called “literary BUMMERS.” Although the term is not much in use in this country, the profession of bumming, both literary and otherwise, is freely practised.
Bumper, according to Johnson from “bump,” but probably from French BON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for “full measure.” A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a “BUMPER game,” if the play and score be all on one side. Bumper is used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.
Bumptious, arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to be BUMPTIOUS.
Bunce, costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be “all BUNCE.” Probably a corruption of bonus; [BONE], or BONER, being the slang for good. Bunce, Grose gives as the cant word for money.