Green’s Dictionary of Slang

an excl. of surprise, shock, disbelief.

1888		Albert Chevalier ‘A Coster’s Courtship’ 🎵 Lor’ lum me! you should just have heard my Sally answer ‘Yuss’.
c.1895		Harington & LeBrunn [perf. Marie Lloyd] You ain't ashamed o' me, are you, Bill? 🎵 [L]or lumme! ’ow nice they taste!
1898		Binstead & Wells Pink ’Un and Pelican 115: My old ’un was the one! Lummy! she used to git their confidence, she did.
1899		A. Binstead Houndsditch Day by Day 84: ‘Lor lummy,’ says I, ‘wher’re yer bin stampedin to?’.
1900		Sporting Times 10 Mar. 1/3: Lordlummy, guv’nor, why I did as you told me.
1900		Marvel 21 Dec. 15: ‘Lummy, thares a go!’ ses she.
1901		Marvel XV:386 Mar. 10: Lumme!
1903		J. London People of the Abyss 134: Lord lumme, look a’ that.
1905		Sporting Times 18 Mar. 1/5: ‘Lor’ lum’ me,’ soliloquised Harry.
1906		E. Dyson Fact’ry ’Ands 88: ‘Or-r, lummie, Sleepy!’ expostulated Benno feebly.
1911		H. Champion ‘Standard Bread’ 🎵 The mouse, lord lumme, / Got a pussy in his tummy.
1912		E. Pugh City Of The World 174: ‘Lumme!’ cries Jim.
1912		Truth (Sydney) 15 Dec. 7/6: This yer feller sez: ‘Lorlummie, / There are something what are queer.
1912		P.C. Wren Dew & Mildew 347: ‘Lummy, I wish I wasn’t a teetotaller’.
1913		C. Mackenzie Sinister Street I 135: ‘Good lummy!’ said Hands.
1915		Truth (Brisbane) 25 July 12/2: ‘Lumme, you’re cunnin’!’ ventured the half-dollar metallician.
1916		T. Burke Limehouse Nights 259: Lorlummy, they fair shied the book at ’im.
1920		‘Sapper’ Bulldog Drummond 36: Lumme, it wouldn’t ’alf go on the movies would it?
1923		Dly Standard (Brisbane) 16 Nov. 10/8: An Aussie standing by in the crush looked the visitor up and down, and sang out in amazement: ’O, stiffen-the-crows! O ---- strike me pink! O ---- lumme!’.
1925		E. Jervis 25 Years in Six Prisons 18: Lor’ lumme, Mr. Jervis, who would have thought of meeting you here!
1932		M. Marshall Travels of Tramp-Royal 235: But, lord lummy, ain’t that wot we’re a-doing of now?
1934		E. Raymond Child of Norman’s End (1967) 36: ‘Lummy!’ cried Rob [...] ‘What an ass!’.
1938		N. Lindsay Age Of Consent 23: God lumme, you call two days’ relief work wage earnin’!
1943		M. Harrison Reported Safe Arrival 53: Afraid! Lumme!
1943		J. Phelan Letters from the Big House 104: Lummy, Lil darlin’, dunno what’s come over yer.
1953		Mad mag. Jan.–Feb. 23: Lor’ lum an’ blimey!
1954		Oh Boy! No. 19 7: Lummy, this is the best cake I’ve ever tasted!
1958		Willans & Searle Complete Molesworth (1985) 146: OO er coo lumme look at them.
1960		Wodehouse Jeeves in the Offing 57: You might even go so far as ‘Lor’ lumme!’.
1978		(con. 1940s) J.G. Farrell Singapore Grip 105: Oh lumme, it’s him.
1981		T. Wilkinson Down and Out 32: ‘Lumme,’ said a private afterwards.
1988		Viz Oct./Nov. 12: Lummy! I’ll knock those down with my catty!
1996		Dandy Book n.p.: ‘Ooh, lumme! What a rotten day’.
2000		J. Stevenson London Bridges (2001) 263: ‘Lumme,’ said Sebastian, once the door was safely shut.