brummagem

[ bruhm-uh-juhm ]
See synonyms for brummagem on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. showy but inferior and worthless.

noun
  1. a showy but inferior and worthless thing.

Origin of brummagem

1
First recorded in 1675–85; local variant of Birmingham, England (compare Bromwichham, Bromecham (17th century), Middle English Burmingeham ); originally in allusion to counterfeit coins produced there in the 17th century

Words Nearby brummagem

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brummagem in a sentence

  • This of course must be laid to the credit of the local supporters of "the noble art of self-defence," the brummagem bruisers.

    Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
  • As soon as his baggage had been taken to the public hall, Roebelin got out beads, wire, and brummagem jewellery.

    The Woodlands Orchids | Frederick Boyle
  • But a mere brummagem article that won't stand wear is quite valueless in their eyes.

    Life of John Coleridge Patteson | Charlotte M. Yonge
  • A Kru boy welcomed them with beaming face and fetched them drinks upon a brummagem tray.

    A Millionaire of Yesterday | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • A superb disorder of trumpery brummagem cutlery, stuffs, firearms and pots and pans clutter the ground in every direction.

British Dictionary definitions for Brummagem

Brummagem

/ (ˈbrʌmədʒəm) /


noun
  1. an informal name for Birmingham Often shortened to: Brum

  2. (sometimes not capital) something that is cheap and flashy, esp imitation jewellery

adjective
  1. (sometimes not capital) cheap and gaudy; tawdry

Origin of Brummagem

1
C17: from earlier Bromecham, local variant of Birmingham

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012