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.
BUM, n.1 [bʌm]
1. Applied opprobriously to a person: “a lazy, dirty, tawdry, careless woman; chiefly applied to those of high stature; as, ‘She's a perfect bum,' i.e. a big, useless, indolent, sluttish woman” (Gall. 1825 Jam.2; 1898 E.D.D.). Not known to our correspondents.
2. Combs.: (1) bum-bailie, Sc. form of St.Eng. bum-bailiff, used loosely to denote any person deputed to enforce an order (Bnff.2 1937); †(2) bum-leather, “the skin of the buttocks” (Sc. 1898 E.D.D.).(1) Sc. c.1750 H. G. Graham Soc. Life Scot. 18th Cent. (1899) I. 137:
To secure proper observance of the Sabbath, compurgators, or “bum-bailies,” patrolled the streets and wynds on Saturday night to see that by ten o'clock all folk were quietly at home.(2) Abd.(D) 1788 J. Skinner Christmass Bawing v. in Caled. Mag. 499:
Unluckily he tint the fit And tann'd his ain bum-leather Fell well that day.
