bumbailiff

bumbailiff
bumbailiff server of writs, maker of arrests, etc., c.1600, from bum "arse," because he was always felt to be close behind.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bumbailiff — Bum bail iff, n. [A corruption of bound bailiff.] [Low, Eng.] See {Bound bailiff}, under {Bound}, a. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bumbailiff — [bum΄bāl′if] n. [ BUM2 + BAILIFF: ? because the officer was often close behind] Brit. a bailiff or sheriff s officer: a contemptuous usage …   English World dictionary

  • bumbailiff — |bəm|bālə̇f noun ( s) Etymology: bum (I) + bailiff; from his close pursuit of debtors Britain : bailiff usually used contemptuously a confounded, pettifogging bumbailiff W.M.Thackeray …   Useful english dictionary

  • bumbailiff — /bum bay lif/, n. Brit. Disparaging. a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc. [1595 1605; BUM2 + BAILIFF] * * * …   Universalium

  • bumbailiff — n. (British) bailiff, law enforcement clerk …   English contemporary dictionary

  • bumbailiff — bum·bai·liff …   English syllables

  • bumbailiff — /bʌmˈbeɪlɪf/ (say bum baylif) noun (formerly) a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc. {17th century; bum1 + bailiff; from their habit of approaching from behind} …  

  • catchpole —   n. bumbailiff …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • catchpoll —   n. bumbailiff …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • bound bailiff — noun Etymology: alteration (influenced by bound) (IV) of bumbailiff : a bonded sheriff s officer who serves writs and makes arrests …   Useful english dictionary

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