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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLUMF, Blumph, n. “A dull stupid person” (Bnff.2, Abd.22 1935; Ayr.4 1928). [blʌmf]Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 76:
Blumf. A stupid loggerhead of a fellow, who will not brighten up with any weather, who grumfs at all genuine sports, and sits as sour as the devil, when all around him are joyous.
Ayr., Gall. 1910 Metcalfe:
Blumf, Blumph, a dull, stupid person who can't or won't express himself.

Hence blumfy-like, blumphie-kind, adjs. (see quot.).Bch. 1928 (per Abd.15):
He's some blumfy-like, or blumphie-kind — i.e. fat, dull and stupid-looking.

[Perhaps same origin as bluff but influenced by words like grumph and sumph.]

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"Blumf n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/blumf>

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