Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BUMFLY, BUMPHLY, Bamphly, adj. Bundled up, rumpled; “applied to bed clothes when gathered into a confused state” (Lth. 1934 (per Slk.1); Sh., Edb., Gsw., Ayr., Dmf., Rxb. 2000s); “untidily put on” (Rnf.1 c.1920; Kcb.1 1932, bumphly). Known to Fif.10, Arg.1, Lnk.3, Kcb.9 1937. [′bʌmflɪ̢, ′bɑmflɪ̢ em. and wm.Sc.]Sc. 1999 Sunday Herald 20 Jun 5:
For worried fashion mummies who care about that kind of thing, they do certainly give a sleeker, less bumfly line under those must-have little Calvin Klein jeans or clingy velour dresses. Sc. 1999 Sunday Herald 14 Nov 23:
It's a bit bumfly however. You are conscious that you are wearing it at all times due to it's rather grand size and heavy fabric. Edb. 2003:
The settee looked aw bumfly an Ah fund the cat unner the throw.Gsw. 1985 Anna Blair Tea at Miss Cranston's 13:
Mother made us knitted petticoats that we called the nightmares. She was great on keeping us warm and she didn't care tuppence that we looked all bumfly in them.Lnk. 1934 (per Slk.1):
Ye're awfu' bamphly aboot the neck.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 258:
He lookit . . . at the Abbot himsel', — awfu' kin' o' bumfly, and like a chaff bed tied in the middle.
