Humdrum, subs. (old: now recognised).—1. A tiresome dullard; a steady-going, common-place person. See also quot. 1725.
1596. Jonson, Every Man in His Humour, i., 1. By gads-lid I scorn it, I, so I do, to be a consort for every humdrum.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Hum-Drums or Hums, a Society of Gentlemen, who meet near the Charter-House, or at the King’s Head in St. John’s Street. Less of mystery, and more of Pleasantry than the Free Masons.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. Monotony; tameness; dullness.
1823. Hints for Oxford, p. 63. Men of spirit must ever dislike the unleavened humdrum of its monkish constitution.
1893. The Nation, 13 July, p. 32, col. 1. We go so far with the adorers of home and humdrum.
3. (old).—The same as Humbug (q.v.).
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden (Grosart, Works, iii., 14). Whereof generous Dick (without humdrum be it spoken) I utterly despair of them.
4. (old).—A wife; also a husband.