rum-dum

[ ruhm-duhm ]

/ ˈrʌmˌdʌm /

Slang.

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noun Disparaging and Offensive.

a stupid or ignorant person.

a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

adjective

of, related to, or arising from habitual drunkenness; addled by intoxicating drinks.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Also rum-dumb .

Origin of rum-dum

First recorded in 1890–95; rhyming compound with rum¹ and dumb, perhaps influenced in sense by humdrum

Remove from heat and stir in the walnuts, rum, powdered sugar, and salt until fully incorporated.
Carla Hall’s Christmas Day Treat: Rum Balls|Carla Hall|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heat the rum in a small skillet over medium until reduce by half.
Carla Hall’s Christmas Day Treat: Rum Balls|Carla Hall|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Make a batch of these rum balls, climb into a onesie, and let your favorite movie do the rest.
Carla Hall’s Christmas Day Treat: Rum Balls|Carla Hall|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Phonetic, made-up lyrics are another venerable tradition of folk music, and “pa-rum-pa-pa-pum” is iconic of the genre.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Both impart the experience of sitting with brilliant Cubans over a rum to debate the State of Cuban Intellectual Life.
Book Bag: Great Books About Cuba|Julia Cooke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The grand thing is to have each of your five fingers go "dum, dum," an equal number of times, which is the principle of all three!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
The black sticks resembling lollipops are said to be compounds of rum, bullocks' blood and tobacco lees.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Tommy Chitling hasnt won the point, and I went partners with him against the Artful and dum.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
"It's a dum shame you didn't have any real friends like me to warn you off before you hit that ranch," went on Bill.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Written in a pretty hand it was—handwriting befitting a dum fine-lookin' girl like that!
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman