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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
Brummagem? Is it archaic?
In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, and I came across the word "Brummagem", which, according tothe author, meant "fake". I thought this word itself had to be "brummagem", so I looked it up, but it does exist, given as either "counterfeit" or "cheap and showy", or "something where the appearance belies substance". Apparently there is a port in Britain bearing this name. (Poor them!) An example given was "the brummagem aristocracy".
Is it used that much? It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...
In ignorance
Chrissy
Is it used that much? It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...
In ignorance
Chrissy
Top answer
[nq:1]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, ... It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance.
- [nq:1]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, ...
- It's honestly the first time I've come across it.
- I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance.
- [/nq] The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham.
- Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.
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62 Answers
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[nq:1]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, ... It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.
The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.
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[nq:1]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, ... It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
I've always thought it meant Birmingham, which is hardly a port.
As in the racist joke:
There was a riot in Birmingham the other day - three Brummes beating
I've always thought it meant Birmingham, which is hardly a port.
As in the racist joke:
There was a riot in Birmingham the other day - three Brummes beating
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[nq:1]story to the ten-year-old next door, and I came across the word "Brummagem", which, according tothe author, meant "fake".. Is it used that much? It's honestly the first time I've come across it.[/nq]
The last one to have used it a lot in that sense (almost a 'signature' word of his) was Mencken. That would place the last days of intensive use at around 1950. I wouldn't call this archaic;
The last one to have used it a lot in that sense (almost a 'signature' word of his) was Mencken. That would place the last days of intensive use at around 1950. I wouldn't call this archaic;
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[nq:1]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, I was reading a story to the ten-year-old next door, ... It's honestly the first time I've come across it. I suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
The word itself is not completely out of use, as a slang adjective for Birmingham (the equivalent noun is Brum). But it's well past its sell-by date in its "counterfeit"
The word itself is not completely out of use, as a slang adjective for Birmingham (the equivalent noun is Brum). But it's well past its sell-by date in its "counterfeit"
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[nq:2]In the course of a bit of babysitting on Tuesday, ... suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
[nq:1]The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.[/nq]
Also, in the 19th century and later, the centre of the cheap jewellery trade. Hence 'fake'.
Mike
M.J.
[nq:1]The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.[/nq]
Also, in the 19th century and later, the centre of the cheap jewellery trade. Hence 'fake'.
Mike
M.J.
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[nq:1]chrissy wrote, asking about "Brummagem":[/nq]
snip
[nq:2]Apparently there is a port in Britain bearing this name. ... suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
[nq:1]The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.[/nq]
In passing, it's worth mentioni
[nq:2]Apparently there is a port in Britain bearing this name. ... suppose I'm once again showing my ignorance. Oh well ...[/nq]
[nq:1]The "port" happens to be the second biggest city in the UK, otherwise known as Birmingham. Its inhabitants are commonly referred to as Brummies.[/nq]
In passing, it's worth mentioni
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[nq:1]The word itself is not completely out of use, as a slang adjective for Birmingham (the equivalent noun is Brum). ... Probably 50 years or more. What book were you reading to your charge? Can you see when it was written?[/nq]
I didn't know the "fake" sense I thought it meant "cheap and nasty".
David
I didn't know the "fake" sense I thought it meant "cheap and nasty".
David
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[nq:2]The word itself is not completely out of use, as ... to your charge? Can you see when it was written?[/nq]
[nq:1]I didn't know the "fake" sense I thought it meant "cheap and nasty".[/nq]
I've always taken it to mean "fake" imitation as well as cheap 'n' nasty.
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 21 years.
(for e-mail
[nq:1]I didn't know the "fake" sense I thought it meant "cheap and nasty".[/nq]
I've always taken it to mean "fake" imitation as well as cheap 'n' nasty.
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 21 years.
(for e-mail
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[nq:2]story to the ten-year-old next door, and I came across the word "Brummagem", which, according tothe author, meant "fake".[/nq]
[nq:2]Is it used that much? It's honestly the first time I've come across it.[/nq]
[nq:1]The last one to have used it a lot in that sense (almost a 'signature' word of his) was Mencken. ... of intensive use at around 1950. I wouldn't call this archaic; it's s
[nq:2]Is it used that much? It's honestly the first time I've come across it.[/nq]
[nq:1]The last one to have used it a lot in that sense (almost a 'signature' word of his) was Mencken. ... of intensive use at around 1950. I wouldn't call this archaic; it's s
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[nq:1]What do we call a word out of regular usage since the 1950s? Perhaps a word like "square" for "out of step with contemporary mores and attitudes"[/nq]
I don't believe that that's what "square" meant. "Square" persons were in step with contemporary mores and attitudes, just not those mores and attitudes that were associated with "hipness". To give you an example, I wasn't around in the 'F
I don't believe that that's what "square" meant. "Square" persons were in step with contemporary mores and attitudes, just not those mores and attitudes that were associated with "hipness". To give you an example, I wasn't around in the 'F
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