Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BUM, v.², n.³

I. v.

1. To strike or knock (Fif.¹⁰, Lnl.¹ 1937; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Vbl.n. bummin, a beating.Ayr. 1898 E.D.D.:
He bummed me against the wall.Dmf. 1817 W. Caesar Poems 49:
Stood rank an' file, to gie'm a bummin, As he gaed by.

†Comb.: bum the beggars (see quot.), cf. Bung the Beggars.Ags. 1891 J. G. Low Memorials of Parish Church of Montrose 157:
The functionary who looked after beggars “bore the name of ‘town's keiper' or ‘bum the beggars,' as he was locally called.” He was provided with an oaken staff.

2. To throw away carelessly or noisily; to dismiss without ceremony (Lth., Lnk. 1937 (per Lnk.³); Kcb.⁹ 1937, obsol.).em.Sc. 1909 J. Black Melodies and Memories 177:
Willie Cook, the shoemaker, said he would “bum” his lasts below the bed and go out to share in the big wages.Kcb.⁶ 1914:
He wudnae dae a day's wark, sae the mester bummed him aff hame.

3. Phr.: to lat bum at, “to strike” (Fif.¹⁰ 1937).

II. n. A knock, a blow.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A bum i' the lug.