rumpus, n. colloq.
(ˈrʌmpəs)
[prob. a fanciful formation.]
a. A riot, uproar, disturbance, row.
| 1764 Foote Mayor of G. ii. i, Oh, Major! such a riot and rumpus! 1796 M. Robinson Angelina I. 188 ‘So! Miss Clarendon,’ said he, ‘you have made a fine rumpus in the family!’ 1824 Scott in Lockhart (1839) VII. 281 You incur my serious displeasure if you move one inch in this contemptible rumpus. 1847 Lytton Lucretia (1853) 186 Don't make such a rumpus, or No. 7 will be at you. 1894 J. Knight Garrick ix. 153 The mock quarrel..seems almost to have ended in a real rumpus. |
b. Used without article.
| 1768 Boston Gaz. 21 Mar. 3/1 The Evening concluded without Riot, or Rumpus. 1800 Spirit Publ. Jrnls. IV. 115 Musical rumpus; or more than was promised in the bills. 1844 Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. VII. 82/2 The unlucky one..which caused at the time such ire and so much rumpus. 1894 Idler Sept. 171 It is of no use to quarrel with him. He lives on rumpus. |
c. Comb., as rumpus room orig. N. Amer., a room set aside for recreation, which does not need to be kept tidy.
| 1940 Chatelaine July 37/2 Off through a double-doored hallway can be seen the ‘rumpus room’, that dennish haunt of Priscilla and Rosemary. 1945 Nelson & Wright Tomorrow's House ii. 14/2 Their daughter took over the rumpus room in the basement. 1958 J. K. Galbraith Affluent Society xiii. 151 In the more censorious social levels of American society there is already a well-developed..aversion to gadgetry... In such circles shiny rumpus rooms, imaginative barbecue pits,..and magnificent cars no longer win acclaim. 1959 Encounter Sept. 50/2 Retreating to a rumpus room with ping-pong tables and do-it-yourself work-benches. 1960 News Chron. 30 June 6/4 How things start out on their journey to the rumpus room. 1970 J. Blackburn Land of Promise xvii. 222 Betty brought university friends home for many good sing-songs and games in the rumpus room which we fixed up in the basement. 1977 J. I. M. Stewart Madonna of Astrolabe i. 7 The festivity..became more and more of a romp. Indeed, not so much a romp as a rumpus. But this too was in order. The room was called the rumpus room. |
Hence ˈrumpus v., to make a disturbance.
| 1839 Hood Smithfield Market ix, We don't want oxen at our doors to rump-us! 1850 Lowell Mr. Knott i. 286 All night, as wide awake as gnats, The terriers rumpused after rats. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xxiv. 232 Marie..rumpussed and scolded with more energy than ever all day, on the strength of this new misery. |