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'bumped off'

Posted by Keith Rennie on November 29, 2004

In Reply to: 'bumped off' posted by Word Camel on November 27, 2004

: : Princess Di had some on camera interviews where she reported her suspicion that an ex-lover had been 'bumped off'. That term sounds unusual. Is it used widely in the UK?

Yes, it's still quite a common phrase, but probably less so than 50 years ago. Nobody in England would be surprised at her choice of language, though they might have been surprised at the accusation behind it.

: I don't remember it being used much. I can't remember the exact phrases used(no one I know has ever been bumped or done any bumping). I suspect it is something understated though, along the lines of saying "He's leaving to spend more time with his family", which is code for "he's been forced out" or if the person leaving is saying it, "I disagree with everything going on and I'm leaving before it all goes horribly wrong."

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