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#182651 02/16/09 12:28 PM
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Does anyone know the origin of the word, "Bumpkin?"
I'm trying to find where it comes from, and date of coinage.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Vivi #182653 02/16/09 12:43 PM
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AHD has some interesting comments but for best results, try wordorigins.org.

Faldage #182655 02/16/09 02:04 PM
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Word-detective has a bit more, and the 1828 Noah Webster's already had it listed.


formerly known as etaoin...
Faldage #182659 02/16/09 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted By: Faldage
AHD has some interesting comments but for best results, try wordorigins.org.


"Any bumpkin would surely prefer this etymology to the suggestion that bumpkin is a derivative of bum, “the rear end.”"

heh. interestingly (or not), OED2 has three(3) disparate senses for bumkin, :
1) [[f. BOOM n. + -KIN; possibly the Du. boomken may formerly have been used in this special sense. The spelling bumpkin is now more usual.] ‘A short boom projecting from each bow of a ship, to extend the lower edge of the foresail to windward.’
2) a vessel for carrying water
3) [fr. bum + -kin] ‘A burlesque term for the posteriors.’ [quotes per OED2]

this seems to add some backstory to those AHD comments!

Vivi #182679 02/17/09 02:20 PM
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Thanks to all for responding so quickly.
I am in awe of your expertise.

Vivi #182682 02/17/09 04:48 PM
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I really appreciate the references too, thanks.


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LukeJavan8 #182692 02/17/09 06:43 PM
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"possibly the Du. boomken may formerly have been used in this special sense. The spelling bumpkin is now more usual.] ‘A short boom projecting from each bow of a ship, to extend the lower edge of the foresail to windward.’"

May this DU. person add the comment that the word 'boomken'is Dutch for 'small tree' up till this day and 'boom' = 'tree'.
So the wood connection also to vessel is clear.


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