Sunday Word: Polrumptious

[sallymn]

polrumptious [puhl-rump-shuhs]

adjective:
a word from the 1800s meaning big-headed, obstreperous, and downright obnoxious.

Examples:

I'm going to make it one of my life goals to be more polrumptious. I'm sick of being seen as 'meek' or 'timid'. I'd rather annoy people with my confidence than continue to fade into the woodwork. (Are We There Yet?, January 2014)

"Why, that's another matter" replied the beadle, "and if it be true - and I think thou dost not look so polrumptious as thy playfellow yonder - Thou wouldst be a mettle lass enow, an thou wert snog and snod a bid better." (Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian)

But niver mind, sir, us'll wait up for mun to-night, an' I'll get the loan o' the Dearloves' blunderbust in case they gets polrumptious. (Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Astonishing History of Troy Town)

Origin:

First used in Kent - or Cornwall, depending on your sources - this word was documented by Francis Grose in A Provincial Glossary, published in 1787... comes from the Middle English polle meaning head (derived from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch), and the late Middle English rump meaning backside (probably Scandinavian). (Joanna Puckering, PhD's Post)

perhaps from poll 'the head' + rumption + -ous; first documented 1787 in A Provincial Glossary by Francis Grose (Words and Phrases from the Past)

Comments

[prettygoodword]

Love this. Such a scrumptious word to say, too.

[sallymn]

isn't it? Old regional words are so wonderful, I would love to bring some of them back :)