Thursday 10 December 2009

rumbelow

rumbelow n a meaningless word, occurring as a refrain in old sea-songs.

I have heard this word before, notably regarding the old electronics retailers and cup final sponsors in the 90s. I've never known what it meant, though. I am completely thrilled to discover that it doesn't actually mean anything. There's not even any origin beyond "old sea-songs". How wonderful! Does this mean Mr Dictionary is admitting defeat?

6 comments:

  1. Does it mean there is an alchohol drink hidden indergroung?

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  2. Presumably there was some booze involved on board at some stage.

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  3. I thought "a meaningless word" WAS the meaning. As in "fruntleflop is a rumbelow, because I just made it up". But then, what would the dictionary say about fruntleflop?

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  4. Thats actually a surname including my own maiden and family name x

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  5. In fact their are a couple of streets named after our family name one in jamaica and the other in australia too . . You should look my ancestors up :) x

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  6. I've heard it while reading about the Jack the Ripper victims :P

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