rum, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

rum adj.

also rome

[most prob. from SE Rome (and indeed could be spelled ‘rome’ until the 18C), which, as a city, meant glory and grandeur. Other origins include the Romany rom, a male gypsy, or the Turkish Röm, a gypsy, many of whom passed through the Ottoman Empire. Reversing the process, the Lat. Roma (Rome) is cognate with the Teutonic root hruod (fame) (as found in the names Roger and Roderick) which appears in the German Ruhm (fame)]

(orig. UK Und.)

1. excellent, first-rate.

1637		Dekker ‘Canting Song’ in Eng. Villainies (8th edn) O3: Canke and Dommerar thou could’st play, or Rum Maunder in one day.
1648		Dekker ‘Canters Dict.’ in Eng. Villainies (9th edn) n.p.: Rome Gallant.
1654		Mercurius Fumigosus 14 30 Aug–6 Sept. 120: The PY-WOMEN in, next Bartholmow-Faire, from Bawde to Whore, and from Whore to Mob, and from Mob to Mort have such Rum trading, that Sodom and Gomorrah are now as empty of traders, as great Bedlam is of honesty.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum, gallant, Fine, Rich, best or excellent.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 195: Tout thro’ the Wicker, and see where the Gully pikes with the Gentry-mort, whose Muns is the rummest I ever touched before .
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) II [as cit. c.1698].
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1741		Ordinary of Newgate Account of the Malefactors executed at Tyburn 18th March 1740 part II 7: In what Part of the Meeting set the rummest Froes.
1747		Life and Character of Moll King 12: We had ne’er a Queer Cull, a Buttock, or a Porpus, amongst them, but all as Rum and as Quiddish as ever Jonathan sent to be great Merchants in Virginia. [Ibid.] 24: Rum or Quiddish, Good-natur’d.
1753		J. Poulter Discoveries (1774) 30: Come let us pike, we shall napp a rum Bit; that is [...] Come, let us go, we shall take a good Bit.
1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1781		G. Parker View of Society I 48: Blow me up (says he) if I have had a fellow with such rum toggys cross my company these many a day.
1792		Sporting Mag. Dec. I 160/1: He loved his bottle, and was rum when mellow.
1802		G. Colman Yngr Poor Gentleman IV ii: The neighbours tell every body what a rum jockey you are.
1819		‘One of the Fancy’ Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress 16: When they saw what a rum knack of shifting he had – / An old trick of his youth.
c.1825		T. Jones ‘The True Bottom’d Boxer’ in Egan Bk of Sports (1832) 74/1: Spring’s the boy for rum going and coming it.
1846		Durivage & Burnham Stray Subjects (1848) 109: The rum old boss, her father, swore / He’d gin her out of hand / Two hundred cash – and also treat / To number 9’s men stand.
1859		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc. 83: RUM [...] was formerly a much used prefix, signifying fine, good, gallant, or valuable.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict. [as cit. 1859].
1871		L.H. Bagg Four Years at Yale 47: Rum, good, excellent, bully.
1888		‘Rolf Boldrewood’ Robbery Under Arms (1922) 278: That pony’s a rum ’un, and can jump his own height easy.
1896		W.C. Gore Student Sl. in Cohen (1997) 6: rum a. [Early mod. E. rom; supposed to be of Gipsy origin, cf Gipsy rom, a husband, Rommani, a Gipsy, prob. from Hind. dom, a man of low caste, from Skt. domba, a man of a low caste who make their living by singing and dancing] Clever, droll. ‘He’s a rum one.’.
1926		Wood & Goddard Dict. Amer. Sl.

2. odd, peculiar, strange; thus rumly, rummily adv., oddly.

1772		Bridges Burlesque Homer (3rd edn) 155: Well said, ulysses, cries the king, / (A little touch’d tho’ with the sting / Of this rum speech).
1780		R. Tomlinson Sl. Pastoral 11: What kiddy’s so rum as to get himself scragged.
1793		Bacchanalian Mag. 43: No mind the Benches rum design, / While you can palm the Traps.
c.1800		‘Dustman’s Delight’ in Holloway & Black I (1975) 86: It’s [i.e. the ballad] of a rum codger, who thought himself wise.
1811		J. Poole Hamlet Travestie I i: ‘You’re a rum kind of ghost,’ said Horatio.
c.1820		‘Sale of a Wife’ in C. Hindley Curiosities of Street Lit. (1871) 40: At length a rum old cobbler did give a dreadful bawl.
1835		‘Thomas Brown’ Fudge Family in England 6: Certainly ne’er did a queerer or rummer set / Throw, for th’ amusement of Christians, a summerset.
1836		Australian (Sydney) 8 Nov. 4/1: How oft in places, call’d back slum, / Where all things smelt of, and look’d rum.
1841		Wilts. Indep. 4 Feb. 4/1: ‘What a rum old covey is Hairy-faced Dick!’.
1848		‘Ned Buntline’ Mysteries and Miseries of N.Y. III 59: The Count, eh? A rum count the old covey must make!
1849		Norfolk Chron. 1 Sept. 3/3: Her daughter Ann [...] had been going on very ‘rumly’ [...] she had several children by different men [and] she was now penniless.
1857		Bell’s Life in Victoria (Melbourne) 3 Jan. 3/2: It was about the rummest lark I ever had in my life to see the way the old boy cut up about it.
1858		O.W. Holmes Autocrat of the Breakfast Table 300: The young fellow called John [...] said it was ‘rum’ to hear me ‘pitchin’ into fellers’ for ‘goin’ it in the slang line,’ when I used all the flash words myself.
1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor III 15/2: That was the rummest bargain I ever made.
1861		Notts. Guardian 4 Apr. 7/1: It’s a rum world, sir — a rum world! and the more I sees of it, the more conwinced I am that no kind of reform will be worth a button.
1877		Morn. Appeal (Carson City, NE) 3 may 2/3: Some rum old cove, or bum, has torn the same asunder, stealing our news.
1878		J. Hatton Cruel London I 111: Yes, by Jove! it’s the rummest go out!
1883		J. Greenwood Tag, Rag & Co. 142: That was rum, I thought, and I hadn’t seen the stone then, but when I did see it it seemed rummer still, being such a queer shaped one.
1888		‘Rolf Boldrewood’ Robbery Under Arms (1922) 1: What a rum thing it is that a man should have a laugh in him when he’s only got twenty-nine more days to live.
1893–5		H. Lawson ‘Two Sundowners’ in Roderick (1972) 99: It’s rum what tricks your memory plays on you sometimes.
1892		Coventry Eve. Teleg. 1 Sept. 4/4: Thou’st a rum cove to tache folks the road to heaven when thou do’s na know the road to Owdham.
1899		J. Flynt Tramping with Tramps 243: I declare, you’re the rummest pair of fellows I’ve ever seen.
1903		N. Gould Straight Goer (1915) 32: ‘They’re a rum lot [...] but I don’t think there’s a bad ’un in the bunch’.
1905		H. Green Actors’ Boarding House (1906) 209: Gee! this is a rum go, Duke!
1907		Leigh & Powell [perf. Marie Lloyd] Tiddley-om-pom 🎵 In the Land of King Alfonso / They’re somewhat / Of a rum lot.
1919		Marvel 3 Mar. 10: We have dropped on a rum show this journey, Jack.
1920		Film Fun 24 Apr. 20: Ben was painting a rum old face on the near side of the tent.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 77: The priest bent down to put it into her mouth, murmuring all the time. [...] Rum idea: eating bits of a corpse why the cannibals cotton onto it.
1932		Dundee Courier 30 Sept. 12/2: The Rolls had become a mere speck on the horizon. ‘There’s a rum cove,’ spat Wally.
1936		(con. 1830s–60s) ‘Miles Franklin’ All That Swagger 118: I found a hide pegged out above his claim. When I found another it looked pretty rum.
1943		Mass-Observation Report on Juvenile Drinking 11: F19 tells Mary she’d spent the afternoon in a pub... Inv. asks what it was like, she answers ‘Proper rum.’.
1958		(con. 1940s) B. Behan Borstal Boy 328: They’re all a bloody rum lot.
1960		I. Fleming For Your Eyes Only (1962) 17: Seven o’clock in the morning’s a rum time for a hold-up.
1972		‘Hergé’ Tintin and the Land of Black Gold 13: That’s rum!
1983		T. Paulin ‘Martello’ in Liberty Tree 51: There’s a rum history to blame.
1993		M. Dibdin Dying of the Light 86: No wonder he was a bit rum, stuck out here in the middle of nowhere.
2000		Indep. 20 Mar. 20: Rum coves, this lot, aren’t they?
2012		(con. 1943) G.S. Manson Coorparoo Blues [ebook] He was no stranger to the black market: there were some rum individuals involved.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 167: With a backdrop as rum as this and a seven-mile-long wall to shelter them is it any wonder that Jervoise Vanier and Mein Opa got up to such larks?

3. illicit, illegal, criminal.

1821

‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London I 131: Rum slum — Gammon — queer talk or action, in which some fraudulent intentions are discoverable or suspected.

4. drunk, tipsy.

1832

Egan Bk of Sports 137: Now Bill was vastly fond of gin, / And brandy too, they say; / And when he did the game begin, / It made him rum all day.

Pertaining to excellence

In derivatives

rumly (adv.) (also romley, rumely)

1. nimbly.

1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all n.p.: The quire coues are budgd to the bowsing ken, / As Romely as a ball.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: He drew the Cull’s Tayle rumly, c. he whipt away the Gentleman’s Sword cleverly.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: He drew the cull’s tail rumly; he snatched away the gentleman’s sword cleverly.
1796		Sporting Mag. Aug. VIII 252/2: Gemmen, if you do not come it rumly, I shall be dish’d.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1845		Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 12 July 4/3: The hon. member remchauinarked how rumly the Thames twisted about town.

2. (also rumpsie, rumsie) excellently; well.

1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 39: Your prat whids Romely, you fart lustily.
1639		J. Taylor Crabtree Lectures 191: Mort. Ile tell thee queere Cove, thou must maund at the Gigger for Pannum and Casum, or a cheat of queere bowse, or Kacklen Cheate, and whid rumpsie.
1639		J. Taylor Crabtree Lectures 193: Mort. [...] And if thou want lower, budge to the next Vile, and there nip a Bung, or cloy a Culley; then budge to the bowsing Ken, and boose rumsie and beanely.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 36: Most part of the night we spent in Boozing, pecking rumly or wapping.
1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) 29: We concluded to booz it rumly.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rumly, bravely, cleaverly, delicately, &c.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 194: The cully slams Flash rumly [The Fellow Cants very well].
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 118: He drinks well He sucks his Muns rumly.
1753		J. Poulter Discoveries (1774) 43: Wid rumley; speak well.
1764		Bloody Register III 170: The next exploit Jenny went upon was, Slanging the gentry mort rumly with a sham Kinchin (that is, cutting well the woman big with child).
1786		Whole Art of Thieving [as cit. 1753].
c.1800		‘The Dustman’s Delight’ in Holloway & Black I (1975) 87: The queer cull was done rumly.
1819		‘One of the Fancy’ Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress 57: Thus rumly floor’d, the kind ACESTES ran, / And pitying rais’d from earth the game old man.
1819		T. Moore ‘The Milling Match’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 86: Thus rumly floor’d, the kind Ascestes ran.

3. honestly.

c.1698

see sense 1.

4. bravely.

c.1698		see sense 1.
1760		‘Come All You Buffers Gay’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 52: Come all you buffers gay, / That rumly do pad the city.

rummish (adv.)

fashionably, smartly.

1839

Crim.-Con. Gaz. 24 Aug. 271/1: I saw the once ragged and dirty Louisa Hastings, dressed out quite rummish.

In compounds

rum beak (n.) [beak n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a corruptible magistrate.

1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 152: A ‘rum-beak,’ a mild justice of the peace.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 3: Beak, rum, a justice who will do anything for money.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 97: Beak, rum, a justice who will do any thing for money. [Ibid.] 122: Rum beak, sensible justice.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 68: Rum Beak, a magistrate that can be bribed.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).

rum beck (n.) [beck n.¹] (UK Und.)

a justice of the peace.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict. n.p.: rum-beck c. any Justice of the Peace.
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 113: A Justice of Peace A rum Beck.
1785		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum beck A justice of the peace. (cant).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.

rum bing (n.) [bung n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a full purse.

1859		Matsell Vocabulum 75: rum bing A full purse.
1859		‘Scene in a London Flash-Panny’ Matsell Vocabulum 99: Ah! Bell! you were always the blowen for a rum bing.
1889–90		Barrère & Leland Dict. of Sl., Jargon and Cant.

rum bite (n.) [bite n.¹]

1. (UK Und.) a clever trick, a cunning ploy.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum-bite c. a cleaver Cheat, a neat Trick.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.

2. a clever fraud or confidence trickster.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.

rum-bleating cheat (n.) [bleating cheat under bleat v.]

(UK Und.) a very fat wether or castrated ram.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum-bleating-cheat a very fat Weather.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1821		Flash Dict.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum blowen (n.) (also rum blower, rum blowing) [blowen n. (1)/blower n.¹]

(UK Und.) a good-looking woman, esp. an attractive mistress or kept woman.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum blower, c. a very Handsom Mistress, kept by a particular Man.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum blower, a handsome wench (cant).
1807		H. Tufts Autobiog. (1930) 293: Rum blowen signifies a gentlewoman.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1828		Sussex Advertiser 14 Apr. 4/3: The sight of a petticoat caught our friend’s eye, and [...] he was partial to the ogles of a ‘rum blowing’.
1830		Lytton Paul Clifford III 245: You said, says you, ‘That ’ere voman is a rum blowen.’ So she vas, Meester Pepper!
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 28: Rum blowing – a handsome girl.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open [as cit. 1835].
1859		‘Scene in a London Flash-Panny’ Matsell Vocabulum 100: Bell’s a rum blowen, and you only patter because your ogle’s as green as the Emerald Isle.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 68: Rum Blowen, a handsome girl.

rum bluffer (n.) [bluffer n.¹]

(UK Und.) an honest, jovial, accommodating alehouse-keeper or publican.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1859		‘Scene in a London Flash-Panny’ Matsell Vocabulum 98: Ho! there, my rum-bluffer; send me a nipperkin of white velvet.
1867		Nat. Police Gaz. (NY) 14 Sept. n.p.: She called on Rooney, the ‘rum bluffer’ of the ‘lush drum’ [...] to ‘part the cole,’ which he did.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 68: Rum Bluffer, a jolly landlord.

rum bob (n.) (UK Und.)

1. a sharp, fly trick [bob v.¹ (1)].

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

2. (also bob) a neat, short wig [SE bobbed hair].

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum bob [...] a pretty short Wig.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1782		G. Parker Humorous Sketches 155: The Colonel now his voice bestows, To Chorus bears a bob.
1796		Sporting Mag. Jan. VII 222/2: And many a Jasey, Grizzie, Bob, and Scratch, / With this regard, pomatum turn aside, / And lose the name of powder.
c.1805		‘The Wig Gallery’ in Jovial Songster 31: A bob the knowing head shall thatch.

3. a smart young apprentice [bob n.²].

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.

4. a shop till.

1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant n.p.: Rum bobb a shop-till.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.

rum booze (n.) (also rum boose, rum bose, rum bouze, rum bowse, rum bues, rome...) [booze n. (1)]

good drink, esp. good wine; thus rum boozing ken, a tavern.

c.1566		Harman Caveat for Common Cursetours in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 83: Rome bouse wyne.
1592		Groundworke of Conny-catching [as cit. c.1566].
1608		Dekker Belman of London (3rd edn) J3: This bowse is as good as Rome bowse.
1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 40: Roome bowsin ken, a Tauerne.
1611		Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girle V i: A gage of ben rom-bouse / In a bousing ken of Rom-vile.
1641		R. Brome Jovial Crew II i: This Bowse is better than Rum-bowse, / It sets the Gan a-gigling.
1653		Urquhart (trans.) Gargantua and Pantagruel (1927) I Bk II 228: [note] Piot. A common cant word used by French clowns and other tippling companions; it signifies rum-booze, as our gypsies call good-guzzle, and comes from [...] bibo.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 36: All their cry was now for Rum-booz (i.e.) for Good Liquor.
a.1674		‘The Rogues . . . Praise of his Stroling Mort’ Head Canting Academy (1674) 20: Rom booz thou shalt booz thy fill.
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Rome bowse, Wine.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum booze c. Wine, also very good or strong Drink.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 186: Whilst the Whip-jack, as the most competent Judge, is imployed to fetch Rum-booze, or strong Drink, from the next Village with ready Money, out of the publick Stock.
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 203: [...] The cull tipt us a hog, which we melted in rumbowse, i.e., the gentleman changed us a shilling which we spent in strong drink.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 111: Good Drink, Rum Bues or Suck.
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 21: Buffler, fill a Cagg of Rumbooze.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum booze. Wine, or any other good liquor. (cant).
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) rum booze wine or any other liquor.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant n.p.: rum boose wine, or any liquor .
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1825		C.M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I 257: Every man shall [...] drink off a double dose of rum booze. [note] Rum booze – Flip made of white or port wine, the yolk of eggs, sugar and nutmeg.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. [as cit. a.1790].
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum 76: rumbose Wine or any kind of good drink.

rum-boozing welts (n.) [SE welt, a ridge or raised portion]

(UK Und.) bunches of grapes.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 16: A Cluster of Grapes – Rum boozing Welts.
1760–1855		in B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum booze. [...] Rum boozing welts; bunches of grapes. (cant).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum bub (n.) [bub n.¹]

excellent liquor.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Bub, Drink. Rum-bub, very good Tip.
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 203: Bub, drink. Rum-bub, very good tipple.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

rum bubber (n.) [bubber n.¹ (3)]

a thief who specializes in stealing silver tankards from taverns.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-bubber c. a cleaver or dextrous Fellow at Stealing Silver-Tankards (formerly) from Public Houses.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.

rum buffer (n.) [bufe n.]

(UK Und.) a valuable and attractive dog.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum bughar (n.) (also rum bugher) [bugher n.]

(UK Und.) a valuable and attractive dog.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum bugher, a valuable dog (cant).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.

rum bung (n.) [bung n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a full purse.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1871–82		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.

rum chant (n.) (also rum chaunt) [chant n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a song.

1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (3rd edn).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1821		‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London I 108: Men who can spint out a long yarn, tell a tough story, and tip you a rum chant.
1828		‘The Song of the Young Prig’ in C. Hindley James Catnach (1878) 172: But my rum chants ne’er fail, sirs, / The dubsman’s senses to engage.
1833		H. Smith Gale Middleton 1 160: You rank spoon! you von’t be twisted no sooner acause a mouse knows how to throw off a rum chaunt.
1834		(con. 1737–9) W.H. Ainsworth Rookwood (1857) 184: I know you can throw off a rum chant.

rum clank (n.) [clank n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a gold or silver cup or tankard.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-clank, c. a large Silver-tankard. Tip me a rum Clank a Booz, c. give me a double Tankard of Drink.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 152: ‘Rum-clank,’ a large silver tankard.

rum clout (n.) [clout n.¹ (1); defs at a.1790, 1809 follow 1848]

(UK Und.) a handkerchief made of silk or other high-quality material.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum clout c. a Silk, fine Cambrick, or Holland Handkerchief. [Ibid.] Rum-wiper, c. as Rum clout.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum clout, A fine silk, cambric, or holland handkerchief (cant). [Ibid.] Rum wiper. see rum clout.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 123: Rum clout, handkerchief.

rum cly (n.) [cly n. (2)]

(UK Und.) a full pocket, i.e. of money.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum cod (n.) [cod n.³ (3)]

a full purse; a round sum of money.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum cod c. a good Purse of Gold, or round Summ of Money.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum cole (n.) (also rum gelt, rum ghelt, rum gilt) [cole n. (1)/gelt n.] (UK Und.)

1. new money.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum-cole c. new Money, or Medals, curiously Coyn’d. [Ibid.] B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum ghelt, c. as Rum-cole.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum cole New money, or medals, (cant). [Ibid.] Rum ghelt see rum cole (cant).
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 28: Rum ghelt, or rum cole – new money.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

2. ‘Medals, curiously Coyn’d’ (B.E.), presumably counterfeit.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785		see sense 1.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum-cove (n.) (also rome cove) [cove n. (1); lit. a ‘good man’]

1. (UK Und.) a leading beggar, whether through strength or intelligence.

1612		Dekker ‘Canting Song’ O per se O O2: Bein darkmans then, bouse, mort, and ken / the bien coue’s bingd a wast; / On chates to trine, by Rome-coves dine / for his long lib at last.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 45: You Mawnders all, stow what you stall, / to Rome coves watch so quire.

2. a rich man.

1607		Dekker Jests to Make you Merrie in Grosart Works (1886) II 308: A rum coves bung (so called in their canting use of speech) (and as much to say in ours, a rich chuffes purse) .
1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all n.p.: Roome Coue a Gentleman.
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 113: A rich Man A rum Cove.
1754		G. Stevens ‘A Cant Song’ Muses Delight 177: As I derick’d along to doss on my kin / Young Molly the fro-file I touted, / She’d nail’d a rum cove of tilter and nob, / But in filing his tatler was routed.
1846		Westmorland Gaz. 3 Jan. 3/6: A butcher, a ‘rum cove,’ offered to back the Ulverston poet.
1853		Newcastle Guardian 23 July 8/1: That rum cove d’ye twig [...] It is the Earl-King with his Book and his School.

3. a successful villain.

1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 42: For all the Rome coues are budgd a beake / And the quire coues tippe the lowre.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 45: Ye Maunders all, stow what you stall, To Rome Coves what so squire.
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Rome coves.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 196: [as cit. 1665].
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1807		H. Tufts Autobiog. (1930) 293: rum cove a gentleman.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1824		Annals of Sporting 1 Mar. 175: Rum-coves from the Holy Land sporting their cash.
1834		Tipperary Free Press 23 Aug. 3/1: Was not I, a very rum cove, when I speech’d at the Meeting to-day? / For there the spoonies [...] Gulp’d down, like fun, each whopping lie.
1902		H. Baumann Londinismen (2nd edn) V: Rum coves that relieve us / Of chinkers and pieces, / Is gin’rally lagged, / Or, wuss luck, gits scragged.

4. (UK Und.) the hangman.

1612		Dekker ‘O per se O’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 13: Bein [sic] darkmans then, bouse, mort, and ken / the bien cove’s bingd awast; / On chates to trine, by Rome-coves dine / for his long lib at last.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 46: [as cit. 1612].
a.1674		‘Canting Song’ Head Canting Academy (1674) 23: [as cit. 1612].
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 196: [as cit. 1612].
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 206: As the prancer drew the queer cove, at the cropping of the rotan, the rum pads of the Rumvile, and was flogged by the rum-cove, i.e., the rogue was dragged at the cart’s tail through the chief streets of London and was soundly whipped by the hangman.
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict.

5. (UK Und.) a good-natured landlord.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum cove a good landlord.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1852		Kendal Mercury 17 Apr. 6/1: He ’peers to be a rum cove.

6. an attractive man.

1807

H. Tufts Autobiog. (1930) 293: Rum cove signifies a gentleman.

7. (UK und.) an admirable, trustworthy individual.

1882

‘The Jargon of Thieves’ in Derry Jrnl 8 Sept. 6/6: A ‘rum cove’ would be a smart and true friend .

rum covey (n.)

1. an attractive man.

1833

‘A Chaunt by Slapped-up Kate and Dubber Daff’ in Swell!!! or, Slap-Up Chaunter 46: There’s fifty rum coveys have tipt me soft patter / And slang’d me ‘the tuliping she.’.

2. a sharp fellow.

1841

W.J. Neale Paul Periwinkle 203: He’s rather a rum covey, that ashore. If he should smell a rat---.

3. (Und.) a trustworthy, admirable individual.

1844

Cork Examiner 5 July 1/5: A man, gentlemen, whom I have [...] ther honour of calling friend [...] ‘rum covey,’ ‘truepenny and chum’.

rum cull (n.) (also rome cull, rum cully) [cull n.¹/cully n.¹; note mid-19C theatrical jargon rum cull, the manager] (UK Und.)

1. a gullible, rich fool, open to fraud.

1648		Dekker Eng. Villainies (9th edn) n.p.: Rome-Culle a Rich foole.
1654		New Brawle 11: Go, go ye Bulking Roague you, go to your fellow Pick-pockets sirrah, go Pinch the Rum Culle again of the Coale.
1659		Catterpillers of this Nation Anatomized 37: This Dammee Captain by his Wit, Sword, and Baskethilt-Oathes; the two Iast he makes use of to frighten Rum-Cullies out of their cash.
1660		Wandring Whore III 6: They got him into a pimping house, telling them they had got a rum-cully.
1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) 179: Rum-cully A rich Coxcomb.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-cull c. a rich Fool, that can be easily Bit, or Cheated by any body, also one that is very generous and kind to a Mistress.
1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) 234: Then those who [...] are a little Deficient in the Pocket, begin to exclaim against the Pulpit Cacklers, for not exciting the Rum-cullies to more Charity.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 19: A rich Fool – Rum-cully.
1760		‘Come All You Buffers Gay’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 52: If after a rum cull you pad / Pray follow him brave and bold.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: rum cull a rich fool, easily cheated, particularly by his mistress.
1790		‘Bumper Allnight. Esquire’ Honest Fellow 111: To those that down in the whit, (a) / Rattling their darbies (b) with pleasure; / Who laugh at the rum culls (c) they’ve bit, / And are now snacking their treasure. (a) Newgate. (b) Bolts, or fetters. (c) Rich Fools that can be easily cheated, or are generous to a w—e.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1846		Swell’s Night Guide 58: I stalled into a gospel crib last night, and pinched the rum cull of a cotton vipe and medza croon.
1855		Yokel’s Preceptor 31: Rum Cul, Master, or head man.
1887		Sporting Times 29 Jan. 2/2: It is [...] quite safe to write of a foolish person [...] as a ‘rum cull’.

2. a man who is very generous to his mistress.

c.1698		see sense 1.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785		see sense 1.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

3. (also rum coll) an intimate friend; a good man.

1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) 228: When the Mauts and Rum Culls have recruited our Store, / We’ll return to our Boozing. O Pity the Poor.
1724		J. Harper Frisky Moll’s Song in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 41: I Frisky Moll, with my Rum Coll, / Wou’d Grub in a Bowzing Ken; / But ere for the Scran he had tipt the Cole, / The Harman he came in.
1749		Fielding Tom Jones (1959) 281: You do not know the town, nor can distinguish a rum cull from a queer one.
1844		C. Selby London by Night I ii: What’s in the wind, my rum cull?
c.1885		‘Botany Bay’ in Goodwin et al. Anth. of Aus. Lit. (1990) 247: Farewell to Old England for ever, Farewell to my rum culls as well .
1910		Illus. Police News 13 Aug. 12/1: ‘There you are, Harry, my rum cull’.
1986		C. Stroud Close Pursuit (1988).

4. (UK Und., also rum cull of the casey) the owner or manager of a lodging–house, or a low drinking place .

1844		New Sprees of London 3: Nanty palary the rumcull of the Casey is green to the fakements.
1846		Swell’s Night Guide 65: The donna of the ken, or rum cull, pipes his togging and palaries the shallow cove: – ‘Ve hasn’t got no pad room to-night sir,’ said the gorger. [Ibid.] 74: This is a lush ken in the neighbourhood of Southwark. The Rum Cul – a downey card, is patronised by the leary and slang schools, in winter, his long room, or ‘slanging lumber’ is the scene of many choice spree and downey movements.
1852		Kendal Mercury 3 Apr. 6/1: The host, or ‘rum-cull,’ is frequently a cross cove (thief,) who is conversant with villainy.

rum cuttle (n.) (also room cuttle) [cuttle n.; SE cuttle, a knife; ult. OF coutel]

a sword.

1610

Rowlands Martin Mark-all 37: A Roome Cuttle, a sword.

In compounds

rum dab (n.) [dab n.¹]

(UK Und.) a very successful sharper, pickpocket and thief.

c.1698

B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.

rum degen (n.) (also ram dagen, rum job, rum tilter, rum tol) [degen n./SE jab/tilter n./tol n.¹]

(UK Und.) a sword with a silver hilt or a hilt or blade inlaid with silver.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-degen c. a Silver-hilted or inlaid Sword. [Ibid.] Rum tol, c. [...] Rum tilter, c. as Rum Degen.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum degen, a handsome sword (cant). [Ibid.] Rum tol, (cant) see rum degen. [Ibid.] Rum tilter, see rum degen.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 28: Rum job, or rum dagen – a handsome sword.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open [as cit. 1835].

rum diver (n.) [diver n. (3); definitions in a.1790, 1809, 1848 erroneously suggest a ‘female pickpocket’]

(UK Und.) an accomplished pickpocket.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 204: [...] The cove’s a rum diver, i.e., the fellow is a clever pickpocket.
1725		New Canting Dict. n.p.: rum-diver a compleat, or clever Pick-pocket. The same with Files or Bung-nippers.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. 1725].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum doxy (n.) (also rum dell) [doxy n. (2)/dell n.]

(UK Und.) a beautiful woman or attractive whore.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum doxy, c. a Beautiful Woman, or light Lady [...] Rum dell, c. as Rum doxy.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum doxy. A fine wench. (cant). [Ibid.] Rum dell see rum doxy.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 28: Rum doxy – fine made wench.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1903		(con. 1870s) Eve. Post 26 Nov. 6/3: The rum doxies tricked out in their betterest cloaks / Fix their pretty rum peepers on all the rum gloaks.

rum drag (n.) (also rum dragger) [drag v.¹ (1a)]

(UK Und.) a thief who poses as a drunkard and persuades a carter to let him lead his horse while he gets some sleep; the ‘drunkard’ then re-addresses the parcels that are on the wagon, which will therefore be delivered to houses where his confederates can collect them .

1781

G. Parker View of Society II 151: Rum Drag. The Rum Dragger generally follows broad-wheel waggons on horseback, and counterfeits drunkenness [...] says, in a drunken tone, that he will give the Waggoner half-a-crown if he will lead his horse, and let him get half an hour’s sleep in his waggon. [...] He then takes off the directions from the trunks and parcels, and puts on others addressed to fictitious personages represented by his confederates who claim them on arrival.

rum drawers (n.) [drawers n.]

(UK Und.) stockings made of silk or some similar quality material.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-drawers c. Silk Stockings, or very fine Worsted Hose.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum drawers silk or other fine stockings.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

rum dropper (n.) [SE drops of liquor] (UK Und.)

1. (also dropper) a vintner.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) 293: Who [...] us’d to met in a Body at the afore-mentioned Rum Dropers, their cant for a Vintner, that they might drown all Thoughts of Shame.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1828		Sussex Advertiser 14 Apr. 4/3: Stop, said the ‘rum dropper’ of the Woodman, don’t be too sure.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

2. a landlord.

1937–84

Partridge DSUE (1984) 997/1: mid-C.17–18.

rum dubber (n.) [dubber n.¹]

(UK Und.) an expert pick-lock.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1725		New Canting Dict.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum duchess (n.) [duchess n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a jolly, buxom woman.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-dutchess, c. a jolly handsom Woman.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].

rum duke (n.) [generic use of SE duke] (UK Und.)

1. a notably handsome man.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum duke c. a jolly handsom Man.
1706		Farquhar Recruiting Officer II iii: You are a justice of the peace, and you are a king, and I am a duke, and a rum duke, a’n’t I?
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

2. a tough villain who is sent by a bankrupted individual to guard their possessions, while they leave home and take refuge from arrest in a criminal rookery.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-dukes, c. the boldest or stoutest Fellows (lately) amongst the Alsatians, Minters, Savoyards, &c. Sent for to remove and guard the Goods of such Bankrupts as intend to take Sanctuary in those Places.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum duke [...] the boldest and stoutest fellows lately among the Alsatians, Minters, Savoyards, and other inhabitants of privileged districts, sent to remove and guard the goods of such bankrupts as intended to take sanctuary in those places. (cant).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum fam (n.) (also rum fem) [famble n. (2)]

1. (UK Und.) a gold ring.

1718		C. Hitchin Regulator 20: Rum Fam, alias Gold Ring.
1768		(con. 1710–25) Tyburn Chronicle II in Groom (1999) xxix: A Rum Fam A Gold Ring.

2. (UK Und.) a diamond ring.

1890–1904

Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.

rum feeder (n.) [feeder n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a large silver spoon.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

Rum File (n.)

see Rum ville n.

rum file (n.) [file n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) an expert pickpocket.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum File c. as Rum-diver.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum flash (n.) [flash n.¹ (2)]

(UK Und.) a large wig.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum Flash, c. a long, full, high-priz’d Wig.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum fun (n.) [fun n.²]

(UK Und.) a clever trick, a cunning fraud.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-fun c. a cleaver Cheat, or sharp Trick.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum gagger (n.) [gagger n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a confidence trickster who raises money on the basis of telling fraudulent tales of supposed suffering at sea, at the hands of the pirates of the Barbary Coast and so on.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: rum gaggers cheats who tell wonderful stories of their sufferings at sea, or when taken by the Algerines, (cant).
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1852		Kendal Mercury 3 Apr. 6/2: Here the mud larks — rumgaggers and naval heroes.
1852		Kendal Mercury 14 Feb. 3/3: The ‘shallow coves, or rum gaggers’ bear a near relation to the mud-larks. But these gentlemen cadge [...] presenting themslves to society almost in a state of nakedness —an old shirt and a pair of old drawers is generally all the clothing they think prudent to wear.

rum gelt/ghelt (n.)

see rum cole

rum gill (n.) [gill n.¹ (2)]

(UK Und.) a well-off man who thus presents a target for robbery.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum gill a gentleman who appears to have money that is meant to be robbed.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1834		(con. 1737–9) W.H. Ainsworth Rookwood (1857) 172: Our own respective names, as High Pads and Low Pads, Rum Gills and Queer Gills, [etc.].
1840		R.B. Peake Devil In London I iii: What a rum gill you are!
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 122: Rum gill, a gentleman who appears to have plenty of money.
1856		‘A Harassing Painsworth’ in Yates & Brough (eds) Our Miscellany 28: Listen! all you high pads and low pads, rum gills and queer gills, patricos, palliards, priggers, whipjacks, and jackmen, from the arch rogue to the needy mizzler.

rum gilt (n.)

see rum cole

rum glimmer (n.) (also rum glimmar, rum glymmar, rum glymmer) [glimmer n. (1)]

(UK Und.) the head of the link-boys, who were employed to carry a link to light passengers along the street.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) 178: Rum-glimmar King of the Link-boys.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-glymmar, c. King or Chief of the Link-boies.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 17: King of the Link-boys – Rum-glimmer.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum glymmer. King or chief of the link-boys. (cant).
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum gloak (n.) [gloak n.]

(UK Und.) a well-dressed man.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1903		(con. 1870s) Dundee Eve. Post 26 Nov. 6/3: The rum doxies tricked out in their betterest cloaks / Fix their pretty rum peepers on all the rum gloaks.

rum gutlers (n.) (also rum gutters) [SE guzzle] (UK Und.)

1. Canary wine.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) n.p.: Rum-gutlers Canary Wine. As Rum-hopper, tip us presently a Bouncing cheat of Rum gutlers; Drawer fill us presently a bottle of the best Canary.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum gutlers c. Canary-Wine.
1709		N. Ward Compleat and Humorous Account of Remarkable Clubs (1756) 293: Who [...] us’d to meet in a Body at the afore-mentioned Rum Dropers, their cant for a Vintner, that they might drown all Thoughts of Shame, or Dread of Punishment [...] over their Rum-Gutlers.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 122: Rum gutters, cape wine.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

2. good eating.

1725

New Canting Dict.

rum hopper (n.) [SE hopper, one who moves quickly and efficiently, who ‘hops to it’]

(UK Und.) someone who draws ale or wine at a tavern.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-hopper, tip us . . .a Boozing-cheat of Rum-gutlers . . .Drawer, fill us . . .a Bottle of the best Canary.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 194: Rum-hooper, [sic] tip us presently a Boosing-cheat of Rum gutlers [Drawer, fill us presently a Bottle of the best Canary].
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 16: A Drawer of Wine – Rum-hooper [sic].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum job (n.)

see rum degen

In compounds

rum ken (n.) [ken n.¹ (1)]

1. (UK Und.) a large, substantial house.

1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 114: A brave stately House A Rum Ken.
1777		J. Fielding Thieving Detected 25: I’ve several rum kins [sic] for you to do upon the ‘Sneak.’.

2. (UK Und.) a well-known criminal public house or brothel.

1821		Egan Life in London (1869) 267: From a rum ken we bundled.
1902		H. Baumann ‘Sl. Ditty’ in Londinismen (2nd edn) vi: Tell ye ’ow? Wy, in rum kens, / In flash cribs and slum dens, / I’ the alleys and courts, / ’Mong the doocedest sorts.

rum kicks (n.) [kicks n.¹]

(UK Und.) breeches that have been adorned with silver or gold embroidery.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-kicks c. Silver or Gold Brocade Breeches, or very rich with Gold or Silver Galoon.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum kiddy (n.) (also rum kid) [kiddy n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a popular, successful young thief.

1789		Merry Fellow’s Companion 28: ‘[S]eeing as how he was a rum kid, I was one upon his tibby’.
1832		J. Miller Complete Jest Book 262: He was a rum kid. I was one upon his tibby.
1907		Dundee Courier 4 Nov. 8/1: I saw he was a rum kiddy so I gave him one on the tibby, and held him till the rozzer came up.

rum lap (n.) [lap n.² (2)]

(UK Und.) good liquor.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

rum mizzler (n.) (also mizzler) [mizzle v. (1)]

1. (UK Und.) someone who is clever at escaping difficult situations, whether physically or through words; thus tip someone the rum mizzle, to give someone the slip.

1781		G. Parker View of Society II 176: Rum-mizzlers. Fellows who are clever in making their escape.
1789		G. Parker Life’s Painter 192: When they make their escape from the constable, I tipt him the rum mizzle.
1843		Cork Examiner 15 Mar. 4/5: Resembling a pick-pocket and being remanded [...] till your friends can [...] prove you are not Flash jack, alias Bunkem, alias the Mizzler, alias Jockey Wide O, alias Slippery Joe [...] alias Conkey Dick.
1859, 1860		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1873		Sl. Dict.
1881		Newcastle Courant 2 Sept. 6/5: He is both game and downy, and has escaped out of queerer streets than that. He is as clever a rum mizzler as ever I knew.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 49: Mizzler, or Rum Mizzler, one who is clever at effecting his escape.

2. a general derog. term.

1865		Leaves from Diary of Celebrated Burglar 115/2: This gave Joe the opportunity of [...] sending in a real sockdologer at the back of the ear of the sturdy ‘mizzler.’.
1868		‘Six Years in the Prisons of England’ in Temple Bar Mag. Nov. 536: ‘What do you mean by ‘snow-dropping?’ I asked ‘O!’ said he, ‘that’s a poor game. It means lifting clothes off the bleaching line, or hedges. Needy mizzlers, mumpers, shallow-blokes, and flats may carry it on.’.
1876		C. Hindley Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack 308: If [...] they hear you spoken of in familiar terms by some low blackguard or needy mizzler, your new friends would be very likely to cut you.

rum mort (n.) (also rome mort, rum mot) [mort n.¹ was orig. coined for Elizabeth I]

1. (UK Und.) a queen.

c.1566		Harman Caveat for Common Cursetours in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 84: Rome mort the Quene.
1592		Groundworke of Conny-catching [as cit. c.1566].
1608		Dekker Lanthorne and Candle-Light Ch. 1: The Canters Dictionary Rome-mort, a Queene.
1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 40: Roome mort a Queene or Gentlewoman.
1637		Dekker ‘Canters Dict.’ Eng. Villainies (8th edn).
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Rome Mort, the Queen.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: rum mort c. a Queen.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.

2. a great lady; an attractive woman.

1610		Rowlands Martin Mark-all 40: see sense 1.
1621		Jonson Gypsies Metamorphosed 7: And for the Roome morts [...] they are of the sorts that loue true sports.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-mort c. a [...] great Lady.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn).
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1728		Defoe Street Robberies Considered 34: Rum Mort, fine Woman.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 14: A Handsome Wench – Rum Mort.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1833		‘A Chaunt by Slapped-up Kate and Dubber Daff’ in Swell!!! or, Slap-Up Chaunter 46: But of all the rum mots, that I’ve chaff’d with, or kiss’d, / Dimber Polly’s the biddy for me.

3. a prostitute.

1659		Catterpillers of this Nation Anatomized 2: The Hector or Knight of the Blade, with his Rum-Mort or Doxie.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 36: A health went round to the Prince of Maunders [...] a third to the Marquess of Doxy Dells and Rum morts.
1707		[title] The Rum-Mort’s Praise of Her Faithless Maunder.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
c.1830		‘Smith’s Frolic’ in Holloway & Black II (1979) 61: Rum mots at each corner in clusters you’ll see / Drest, powder’d and painted as fine as may be.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 122: Rum mot, a woman of the town.

4. a rich woman.

1741

Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 113: A rich Woman A rum Mort.

rum-muns (n.) [muns n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a good-looking man.

1741		Ordinary of Newgate Account of the Malefactors executed at Tyburn 18th March 1740 part II 7: Jenny being very genteely dressed, [...] observ’d a Gentleman who was a very Rum-muns (that is, a great Beau).
1764		Bloody Register III 169: [as cit. 1741].

rum nab (n.) [nab n.¹ (3)]

(UK Und.) a well-made, fashionable hat, a beaver hat.

1688		T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia II ii: A rum nab. It’s a beaver of £5.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-nab c. a Beaver, or very good Hat.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum nantz (n.) [nantz n.]

(UK Und.) the best quality French brandy.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-nantz c. true French Brandy.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum ned (n.) [neddy n.¹ (2)]

(UK Und.) a very foolish rich man.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum ned c. a very silly Fellow.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum ogles (n.) [ogles n.; cit. 1823b prob. a misprint]

(UK Und.) bright, clear eyes.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Ogling, The Gentry-mort has rum Ogles, that Lady has charming black Eyes.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 129: ‘Rum oglen’ (query, ‘ogled-one?’) bright, piercing eyes.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

rum one (n.)

see separate entry.

rum pad (n.) [pad n.¹] (UK Und.)

1. (also rom pad, rome pad) the highway.

1612		Dekker O per se O N4: To Fib a Coues Quarrons in the Rome pad for his Loure in his bung that is to say [...] to beate a man by the high-way for the money in his purse.
1637		Dekker ‘Canting Song’ in Eng. Villainies (8th edn) O3: Now my Kinchin cove is gone, by the Rome-Pad Maundred none.
1648		Dekker ‘Canters Dict.’ in Eng. Villainies (9th edn).
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 52: Rom-pad, The High-way.
a.1674		‘A Wenches Complaint for . . . her Lusty Rogue’ Head Canting Academy (1674) 16: [as cit. 1637].
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Rome pad, High way.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-pad The Highway.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 194: [as cit. 1612].
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 205: [as cit. 1612].
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1897		Pall Mall Gaz. 20 Nov. 3/2: The men, thieves and wastrels all [...] poached a pilfered, now and then going out upon the ‘rum pad’ and robbing some defenceless cottager’s wife.

2. a highwayman.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum Pad , c. a daring or stout High-way-man.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict. 17: A Highway-man – Rum-pad.
1790		‘The Bowman Prigg’s Farewell’ in Wardroper (1995) 283: Here’s health to the beauman prigs, / From the rum pad down to the prancer.
1834		(con. 1737–9) W.H. Ainsworth Rookwood (1857) 57: With them the best Rumpads of England are not to be named that same day!

rum padder (n.) (also rom-padder, rome-padder) [padder n.¹]

1. a horse.

1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit.
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict.

2. (UK Und.) a highwayman.

1648		Dekker Eng. Villainies (9th edn) n.p.: Rome-padders Highwaymen.
1665		Head Eng. Rogue I 52: Rom-padders, High-way-men.
1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn).
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-padders, the better sort of Highway-men well Mounted and Armed.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit (5th edn) 194: Five Rum-padders are rubbed in the Darkman out of the Whit .
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 114: High-way Man A rum Padder.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum padders, Highwaymen well mounted and armed (cant).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1834		(con. 1737–9) W.H. Ainsworth Rookwood (1857) 281: I always thought them Rum-padders [...] rum fellows.
1856		‘A Harassing Painsworth’ in Yates & Brough (eds) Our Miscellany 28: I bear a private message to the downiest of downy birds, the rummest of rum padders, the leariest of leary coves.

rum patter (n.) [patter n. (3)]

(UK Und.) criminal slang, cant.

1789

G. Parker Life’s Painter 180: Gammon and Patter. Jaw talk, etc. A fellow that speaks well, they say he gammons well, or he has a great deal of rum patter.

rum peck (n.) [peck n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) good food.

1639		J. Taylor Crabtree Lectures 191: Mort. [R]ather then want Rum-peck, or Beane boose, mill the Cacklers, coy the Quack, or Duds.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: The Gentry Cove tipt us rum Peck and rum Guttlers, till we were all Bowsy, the Gentleman gave us so much good Victuals, and Canary, that we were all Damn’d Drunk.
1741		Canting Academy, or the Pedlar’s-French Dict. 111: Good Victuals, Rum Peck.
1821		W.T. Moncrieff Tom and Jerry II vi: Now, your honours, here’s the rum peck, here’s the supper.

rum peeper (n.) [peeper n. (2)]

1. (UK Und.) a silver mounted looking glass.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-peepers c. a Silver Looking-glass.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

2. in pl., bright eyes.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum peepers [...] or bright eyes.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1903		(con. 1870s) Eve. Post 26 Nov. 6/3: The rum doxies tricked out in their betterest cloaks / Fix their pretty rum peepers on all the rum gloaks.

rum prad (n.) [prad n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a highwayman’s horse.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum prad a highwayman’s horse.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1863		Aberdeen Jrnl 16 Sept. 8/3: There is the ‘rum prad,’ the ‘queer prancer,’ and the ‘willing tit’.

rum prancer (n.) [prancer n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a beautiful, well-made horse.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-prancer a very beautiful Horse.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum quids (n.) (also rum quidds) [quid n.] (UK Und.)

1. a large amount of stolen money, or a share thereof.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-quidds c. a great Booty, or large Snack.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

2. a ‘good’, i.e. not counterfeit guinea.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum quidds guineas.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum ruff peck (n.) [ruff peck n.; Westphalia ham was considered to be of the best quality]

(UK Und.) Westphalia ham.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-ruff-peck c. Westphalia-Ham.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open 122: Rum rufe peck, Westphalia ham.

rum screen (n.) [screen n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a banknote.

1789		G. Parker Life’s Painter 137: It’s not the first time I have fenced a rum-screen with him.
1833		‘Rowling Joey & Moll Blabbermums’ in Corinthian in Spedding & Watt (eds) Bawdy Songbooks (2011) IV 43: [as 1789].

rum snitch (n.) [snitch n.¹ (2)]

(UK Und.) a hard blow on one’s nose.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum snooze (n.) [snooze n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a sleep induced by alcohol.

1789

G. Parker Life’s Painter 142: If any of us was to come in by ourselves and should happen to take a rum snooze, you’d snitch upon us, and soon have the traps and fix us, in putting a lap-feeder in our sack, that you or your blowen had prig’d yourselves, though we should stand the frisk for it.

rum snoozer (n.)

1. (UK Und.) one who falls asleep in a tavern and is robbed.

1781

G. Parker View of Society II 124: Rum Snoosers. If a man who has happened to be out late and fearful of not getting in at home, and desirous of seeing Life, should stroll into a night-house, he ought to be very careful lest he should fall asleep in any of those places; for if he should, he may be certain of a large piece of paper being fastened to his hat, and set fire to. Awakened by the cry of fire, he struggles with it, and endeavours to extinguish the flames that have seized on his wig or hair, which are burned, perhaps destroyed by the fire. Exasperated by this injury, he offers half a guinea if anybody will inform him who has used him thus; somebody naps the bit, and tells him that such a Coachman had done it, that he was just ran upstairs, and that his coach had such a number. He runs up in search of the Coachman, but there is no such person; and when he returns, the man who had gotten his money has run away, and the Landlord charges the Watch with him for raising a riot in his house; so the night finishes in a Round-house.

2. one who sleeps soundly.

c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: Rum-snoozer. A sound sleeper.
1789		G. Parker Life’s Painter 173: a person that sleeps soundly is called a Rum Snoozer. If he shams sleep to listen to conversation, then they say he is a Queer Rooster.

rum speaker (n.) [speak v.]

(UK Und.) a good haul of booty.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum speaker or grab a good booty.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant n.p.: rum speaker good booty.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum squeeze (n.) [SE squeeze] (UK Und.)

1. a good measure of drink distributed among the fiddlers at a wedding or similar event [a few drops squeezed out].

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-squeeze c. much Wine or good Liquor given among the Fidlers.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

2. a crush at the theatre; its members are susceptible to pickpockets [a crush].

1789		G. Parker Life’s Painter 159: Rum squeeze at the spell. A kind of harvest for pick-pockets. When the king goes to the play, and there is an over-flow of the house, the Spell is cant for the theatre.
1801		G. Hangar Life, Adventures and Opinions II 60: Various impositions, practised daily on the unwary [...] such as [...] a rum squeeze at the spell.
1833		‘Rowling Joey & Moll Blabbermums’ in Corinthian in Spedding & Watt (eds) Bawdy Songbooks (2011) IV 43: There being a rum squeeze at the spell last darkey, I was wipe prigging.

rum strum (n.)

1. a pretty young strumpet [strum n.²].

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

2. a long wig [strum n.¹].

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-strum, c. a long Wig.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum swag (n.) [swag n.¹ (1)]

(UK Und.) a shop full of expensive goods and thus worth robbing.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum Swag, c. full of rich Goods.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 167: Swag (the) — a store of money [...] ‘Rum swag’ — a good deal of it.
1833		‘Slap-Up Cracksman’ in Swell!!! or, Slap-Up Chaunter 43: Rum swag, if luck, if not, why nix.

rum tilter/tol (n.)

see rum degen

rum Tom Pat (n.) [tom pat n.¹]

(UK Und.) a clergyman.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1789		G. Parker Life’s Painter 137: pal: What, are Moll and you adam’d? joe: Yes we are, and by a rum Tom Pat too.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum topping (n.) [SE topping]

(UK Und.) a first-rate or brand-new wig.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-topping c. a rich commode or Head-dress.
1719		A. Smith Lives of Most Notorious Highway-men, etc. (1926) 204: [...] Click the rum-topping, i.e., snatch the woman’s head-dress.
1725		New Canting Dict. n.p.: rum-topping a rich Head-dress.
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. 1725].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum twang (n.)

(UK Und.) a silver stock buckle.

1789

G. Parker Life’s Painter 141: The balloon business now, is the the best that’s going, they are so intent when it ascends, that I verily believe, I could unbuckle his squeeze clout, and nap his rum twang.

rum ’un (n.)

see rum one n.

Rum-vill/Rumville (n.)

see Rum ville n.

Rum ville (n.)

see separate entry.

rum wipe (n.) (also rum wiper) [wipe n. (3)/wiper n. (1)]

(UK Und.) a handkerchief made of silk or other high-quality material.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-wiper c. as Rum-clout.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

Pertaining to eccentricity

In derivatives

rummish (adj.)

odd, unsatisfactory.

1822		Westmorland Gaz. 27 Apr. 4/5: I thought he was a rummish sort of a customer.
1832		Leicester Chron. 21 Apr. 3/6: Ald. Gregory said he was a rummish friend to make him drunk.
1837		Hants. Advertiser 13 May 3/2: His little boy took up the shilling and said it was a rummish one [...] a bad shilling.
1843		R.S. Surtees Handley Cross (1854) 116: He had a rummish cove of a governor.
1847		Bell’s Life in Sydney 20 Mar. 3/1: Jem: How goes it with you? Jack: Rather rummish.
1859		Shefield Indep. 19 Nov. 6/5: It being a ‘rummish’ plan, she (prosecutrix) thought it best to go quietly away.
1863		Sherborne Mercury (Dorset) 1 Dec. 4/6: He replied that he only did it for a ‘lark.’ Complainant replied that it was a ‘rummish’ sort of a lark.
1877		Leeds Times 17 Nov. 6/6: Theer’s some rummish tales tell’d abaht lawyers.
1888		Derbyshire Times 28 July 6/3: They tell me as there’s been rummish doin’s up there of late.
1892		Leeds Times 23 July 3/7: They all remembered old friend Noah bustling into the ark with relatives and animals and birds [...] It was a rummish mix.
1916		A. Brazil Luckiest Girl in School 9: ‘Well, of all the rum shows!’ exclaimed Percy. ‘You and Aunt Harriet in double harness ! It beats me altogether!’.

rumness (n.)

see rumminess under rummy adj.¹

In compounds

rum beggar (n.)

(US Und.) the lowest rank of street beggar.

1907

N.Y. Times 27 Jan. Sun. Mag. 4: The ‘rum beggars’ of the east side – the lowest of the professional mendicants – are found in a cheap lodging house on Mulberry Street.

rum bow (n.) [SE bowline]

(UK Und.) rope stolen from a royal dockyard.

a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795) n.p.: rum bow rope stolen from the king’s dock-yard.
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.

rum bug (n.) [bug n.¹ (1)]

(Aus.) an important (or self-important) person.

1885

Bulletin (Sydney) 16 May 11/2: Yet when he used to call in town – / Oh, Bob, you are a rum bug – / You’d say, ‘Oh, let him wait all day, / The fossilised old humbug!’.

rum cove (n.)

an odd or eccentric character.

1840		R. Barham ‘Hamilton Tighe’ in Ingoldsby Legends (1840) 158: And the neighbours say, as they see him look sick, / ‘What a rum old cove is Hairy-faced Dick!’.
1853		Cornish Teleg. 27 July n.p.: ‘Oh father, oh father! that rum cove d’ye twig? [...] he knows I’m a Prig!
1863		Lord Palmerston He is a Clever Man (ballad) i: He’s a rum cove, fol de riddle I do [...] Lord Palmerston is a funny old chap.
1871		Hants Advertiser 7 Oct. 1/3: ‘He is a “rum cove” [...] to deal with’.
1885		Dundee Courier 3 Mar. 7/2: ‘Allus though Skipper a rum cove. But this ’ere’s the rummest go of all’.
1890		‘Rolf Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer I 129: You’re a rum cove to go talking and preaching to a chap with a revolver at your head.
1891		‘’Arry on Wheels’ in Punch 7 May 217/1: Rum cove that old Clerk o’ the Weather; seems somehow to take a delight / In mucking Bank ’Oliday biz.
1893		P.H. Emerson Signor Lippo 51: He’s a rum cove, he’s fairly done me.
1902		Montgomery Echo 8 Mar. 2/4: ‘Well,’ said the boy,’ thou’rt a rum cove to tache the folks the road to heaven, when thou’na know the road to Owdham!’.
1911		Framlingham Wkly News 25 Feb. 1/3: ‘Well, yer a rum cove.’ observed one of the men.
1928		J. Agate Gemel in London 132: ‘Rum cove!’ said Rubicon aloud.
1984		Benjamin & Pearl Limericks Down Under 91: Then give girls a fright / As he hove into sight / Under bare poles. A rum cove.

rum duke (n.)

an odd, eccentric, showy man.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Duke, or rum duke, a queer unaccountable fellow.
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1830		Egan Finish to the Adventures of Tom and Jerry (1889) 129: If he is not surrounded by Duchesses, I will bet a trifle, he will run against some rum Dukes!
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.

rum flicker (n.) [flicker n.¹]

(UK Und.) a poor quality or ‘ordinary’ glass.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum Flicker, c. a large Glass or Rummer.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].

rum maund (n.) (also rum mawnd, rum maunder, rum maundy) [maund n. (2)]

(UK Und.) a beggar who poses as more stupid than they really are to encourage donations.

1637		Dekker ‘Canting Song’ in Eng. Villainies (8th edn) O3: Canke and Dommerar thou could’st play, or Rum Maunder in one day.
a.1674		‘A Wenches Complaint for . . . her Lusty Rogue’ Head Canting Academy (1674) 17: [as cit. 1637].
1688		R. Holme Academy of Armory Ch. iii item 68c: Canting Terms used by Beggars, Vagabonds, Cheaters, Cripples and Bedlams. [...] Rum Maunder, a Beggar Fool, flavering Fool.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Rum-mawn’d, one that Counterfeits himself a Fool.
1707		‘Rum-Mort’s Praise of Her Faithless Maunder’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 36: [as cit. 1637].
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1754		Scoundrel’s Dict.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Rum mawnd One that counterfeits a fool (cant).
a.1790		H.T. Potter New Dict. Cant (1795).
1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 28: Rum maundy – fellows who counterfeit the fool, going about the streets in order to obtain charity.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open [as cit. 1835].

rum one (n.)

see separate entry.

rum phiz (n.) (also rum phyz) [phiz n.¹ (1)]

an odd-looking face.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Phyz [...] Rum phyz, an odd face or countenance.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

rum touch (n.) [sense 2 + SE touch, with the implication of someone against whom one brushes up]

an odd, eccentric person; a strange affair.

1804		T. Creevey letter 21 Jan. in Gore Creevey Papers (1948) 15: It was to meet Brogden and Col. Porter, two cursed rum touches that he has persuaded to vote with him and to desert Fox.
1806		S. Grildrig Miniature (2nd edn) II 9: The last whom I shall mention is an Odd Fellow, or according to the language of the day, ‘a rum touch’. [Ibid.] 10: Whereas many young fellows with ugly faces [...] have [...] attempted to sustain the character of a Rum Touch, and have [...] failed most miserably, notice is hereby given [etc.] .
1890		Peterhead Sentinel 6 May 3/3: The footman surveyed Miss Wickerwill again [...] ‘A rum touch,’ said the footman below his breath [...] ‘a very rum touch’.

rum ’un (n.)

see rum one n.