Tuesday word: Gaumless

[simplyn2deep.livejournal.com]

Tuesday, Mar. 16, 2021

Gaumless (adjective)
gaum·less [gawm-lis]

adjective Chiefly British Informal.
lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy.

Origin: 1740–50; dial. ( Scots, N England) gaum heed, attention ( Middle English gome < Old Norse gaumr; akin to Gothic gaumjan to observe) + -less

EXAMPLE SENTENCES FROM THE WEB FOR GAUMLESS
What is it maks a gaumless muff Grow rich, an' roll i' lots o' stuff, Woll better men can't get enough?It's sooap.
YORKSHIRE DITTIES, SECOND SERIES|JOHN HARTLEY

Nay, aw dooant know, but my mother's been callin' him 'gaumless,' happen that's it.
YORKSHIRE DITTIES, FIRST SERIES|JOHN HARTLEY

"They say he's no good at anything—a harmless mafflin; he was a long gaumless gawky when he went awa," said Richard Turnbull.
J. S. LE FANU'S GHOSTLY TALES, VOLUME 3|JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU

Yon were gaumless words, and bitter did I rue iver having spokken 'em.
MORE TALES OF THE RIDINGS|FREDERIC MOORMAN

Comments

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

Lol — I read this as Guinness

[benicek.livejournal.com]

Note, this is the 18th century spelling. We write it ‘gormless’ now.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

I was going to say the same thing.