Brum
Posted by Skinnerette on February 27, 2003
In Reply to: Belated happy birthday Gary posted by Word Camel on February 25, 2003
: : : On the 'Phrase Finder' page for 'Brummagem Screwdriver' it states that:
:
: : (www.phrases.org.uk meanings 58900.html)
: : : "'Brummagem' is a slang
version of 'Birmingham', which is a version of 'Bromwicham', itself a version
of 'Brimidgeham', the old name for Birmingham. The Bromwicham form persists in
the name of the town to the west of Birmingham - West Bromwich. "
: : : .........
:
: : Actually, going as far back as 1086, the Domesday form of this name is 'Bermingha.',
so Brimidgeham is not the older name for Birmingham.
: : : The origins of
the name are, in fact, Anglo-Saxon, ie pre-Domesday, and mean: the homestead (ham)
of the people (ingas) of Beorma.
: : : Beorma's inga's ham = Birmingham.
:
: : The form 'Brummagem' (there are actually many, many variants) evolved as a
result of pronunciation. The 'r' and the vowel towards the beginning of the word
have changed places, and the hard 'g' towards the end, has softened. There is
a record of the spelling 'Brumingeham' in 1189, I believe.
: : : Brummagem is
not a 'slang' word for Birmingham, it is an alternative version of the name -
as are the other variants mentioned. 'Brummagem' became the name used by the locals.
:
: : However, the unfortunate association between the name 'Brummagem' and some
counterfeit goods produced by a few unscrupulous Brummies, resulted in the word
'brummagem' actually being given the dictionary meaning: 'counterfeit'. This led
the likes of local industrialist, Matthew Boulton, to use the term 'Birmingham'
for his products. The form 'Birmingham' became more socially acceptable in these
circumstances.
: : : 'Brummagem' is an evolved, form of 'Birmingham'. It is
neither more correct nor more incorrect than 'Birmingham'; it is not earlier than
'Birmingham'; it is not slang for Birmingham; and it may not be anything to do
with 'West Bromwich'.
: : Thanks for the info. Being from the celestial city myself I was pleased to get a copy of 'Proper Brummie' as a birthday present last week. I expect I'll be looking again at that entry soon.
: :)
Me aunt comes from Walsall and she sez Bur-min-gum. Noff sed maite? Busting!