Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RUMGUMPTION, n. Common sense, understanding, shrewdness, acumen (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; I. and n.Sc., Per., Ayr., Wgt. 1968). Cf. Rummlegumption. Also rummygumption, id. (Cai.9 1946).ne.Sc. 1768 in A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 7:
They need not try thy jokes to fathom, They want rumgumption.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 321:
But sure it wad be gryte presumption, In ane wha has sae sma' rumgumption.Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales of Glens 62:
Charlie had aften shewn mair rumgumption about these matters than mysel.Kcd. 1800 W. Gairdner Glengoyne I. iv.:
His faither wud mak' a minister o' him, 'cause, he said, he hadna rumgumption for a fairmer or a cowper.Ork. 1927 Peace's Almanac 135:
Hae a peerie air o' rumgumption, lass.m.Sc. 1997 Tom Watson Dark Whistle 54:
His lineage hings
Aff breist-bane rid,
His neb an' claws
Wi' ran-dan bluid aye clagged,
Yet wi' rumgumption
Tholes yon coinage o'
Bad cess, the cleck
Ablow.
