bumbailiff

[ buhm-bey-lif ]

nounBritish: Disparaging.

(formerly) a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc.

Origin of bumbailiff

1595–1605; bum² + bailiff; alluding to their following close behind debtors and other offenders

Words Nearby bumbailiff

Bulwer
Bulwer-Lytton
bum
bum around
bum bag
bumbailiff
bumbershoot
bumble
bumblebee
bumblebeefish
bumbleberry

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

British Dictionary definitions for bumbailiff

bumbailiff

/ (ˌbʌmˈbeɪlɪf) /

noun

British derogatory (formerly) an officer employed to collect debts and arrest debtors for nonpayment

Origin of bumbailiff

C17: from bum 1 + bailiff, so called because he follows hard behind debtors

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

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