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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
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My Canadian Oxford Dictionary says that the word "bum" is used in only Canada and the UK (and I suppose other Commonwealth nations?) to mean buttocks/bottom/ass. It indicates that in the US, "bum" does not take on this meaning. Of course, as in the US, we also understand it to mean a lazy/homeless/poor/unemployed person, like "hobo" (but somewhat more derogatory). For us, this is only a secondary meaning. I had always wondered why on earth Wal-Mart carries a line of clothing with initials B. U. M. on it, but when I read this I decided that maybe it's not offensive to US'ns, and it wouldn't be the first time that a company had no idea how to sell something to Canadians. I don't find it offensive, exactly, but I wouldn't write it on my clothes!  So, English speakers of the world, please let me know. When I first say the word "bum" to you, which meaning comes to your mind? Person or anatomy?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Most of USn's certainly know the anatomy definition of bum but I, for one, do not think of that first. I'd parbly have to be reminded. But then the person definition isn't all that complimentary, either.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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During the thirties when many Canadians worked in New England, using the word "bum" in a bar could start a brawl. But I never heard Americans use it as a serious insult. It was innocuous enough that the Brooklyn Dodgers were frequently referred to in the newspapers as "Da Bums".
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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the two senses sort of blend together in the adjective: what a bum idea. <g>
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I must admit I was quite perplexed the first time I saw this line of clothing in Singapore. I couldn't really work out whether this was some sort of nudge-nudge humour or just ignorance. Still not really sure.
Bingley
Bingley
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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definately a person-- unless the person using the word was english- then anatomy..
and it's used in a lot of idioms-- "give a bum's rush" (to treat a person the same way you might treat a bum)
and bum'ed out-- to be as poor as bum, or as sad as one.
and i would distinguish a bum as being a local drunk, a down and out person , and a hobo as being a transient.. so "i see the same old bums every morning, sleeping in the railroad station".. (actualy, the have all been forced into out of sight places, and i never see the same old bums-- some of whom i had gotten to know by name)
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old hand
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OP
old hand
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B.U.M. cf, FUBUWell, FUBU doesn't sound like a word that I already know, so if it's written on a shirt it doesn't catch my attention. I just don't get the B. U. M. thing. I mean, if I wore a shirt that said T. I. T., you would all giggle first and ask questions later, wouldn't you? 
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old hand
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OP
old hand
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i would distinguish a bum as being a local drunk, a down and out person , and a hobo as being a transient.I was just attempting to find an approximate synonym, but yes, I agree, "hobo" somehow implies motion. (Incidentally our current favourite pizza place is called Hobo's. Yum yum.  )
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