- bumbailiff
- bumbailiff server of writs, maker of arrests, etc., c.1600, from bum "arse," because he was always felt to be close behind.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
bumbailiff
Look at other dictionaries:
Bumbailiff — Bum bail iff, n. [A corruption of bound bailiff.] [Low, Eng.] See {Bound bailiff}, under {Bound}, a. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bumbailiff — [bum΄bāl′if] n. [ BUM2 + BAILIFF: ? because the officer was often close behind] Brit. a bailiff or sheriff s officer: a contemptuous usage … English World dictionary
bumbailiff — |bəm|bālə̇f noun ( s) Etymology: bum (I) + bailiff; from his close pursuit of debtors Britain : bailiff usually used contemptuously a confounded, pettifogging bumbailiff W.M.Thackeray … Useful english dictionary
bumbailiff — /bum bay lif/, n. Brit. Disparaging. a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc. [1595 1605; BUM2 + BAILIFF] * * * … Universalium
bumbailiff — n. (British) bailiff, law enforcement clerk … English contemporary dictionary
bumbailiff — bum·bai·liff … English syllables
bumbailiff — /bʌmˈbeɪlɪf/ (say bum baylif) noun (formerly) a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc. {17th century; bum1 + bailiff; from their habit of approaching from behind} …
catchpole — n. bumbailiff … Dictionary of difficult words
catchpoll — n. bumbailiff … Dictionary of difficult words
bound bailiff — noun Etymology: alteration (influenced by bound) (IV) of bumbailiff : a bonded sheriff s officer who serves writs and makes arrests … Useful english dictionary
