bumfuzzle

American  

[buhm-fuhz-uhl] / bʌmˈfʌz əl /

verb (used with object)

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

bumfuzzled, bumfuzzling

1. to confuse or fluster.

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Usage

What does bumfuzzle mean? To bumfuzzle is to confuse or fluster.Bumfuzzle is most often used in the dialect of the Southern United States. It is colloquial, meaning it is typically used in informal conversation. It is very similar to bamboozle, and may be derived from it.Example: I was totally bumfuzzled by the physics homework last night—I didn’t understand any of it!

Etymology

Origin of bumfuzzle

First recorded in 1900–05; origin uncertain; from bum- (as in the initial syllable of Scottish bumbaze, bombaze “to confuse” ( bamboozle ) + fuzzle “to confuse” (perhaps a blend of fuddle and fuzzy ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Every drawer in the kitchen was open and she’d already said three almost-swears: corn nuts, kitty whiskers, and bumfuzzle.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry