Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


A.Word.A.Day--rumbustious

(rum-BUS-chuhs) Pronunciation RealAudio

adjective: Wild; rambunctious.

[Origin uncertain. Probably both rumbustious and rambunctious are alterations of robustious.]

"As yet another British tourist received a stiff fine yesterday for indecent exposure at an infamous seaside resort on Rhodes, the island's police authorities conferred with regional officials, hoteliers and the British consul on coping with the hordes of rumbustious UK nationals flocking to Greece this summer for booze-fueled holidays."
Rhodes Meeting on Hell-raisers; Kathimerini (Athens, Greece); Aug 22, 2003.

"Lord Salmon added that 'no criticism of a judgment, however vigorous, can amount to contempt of court, providing it keeps within the limits of reasonable courtesy and good faith. The decision here complained of, however rumbustious, however wide of the mark, whether expressed in good taste or in bad taste, seems to me to be well within those limits'."
Stephen Alleyne; The Courts Are Not Beyond Reproach; Barbados Advocate (Bridgetown, Barbados); Aug 20, 2003.

This week's theme: Words with variant spellings

X-Bonus

In solitude, when we are least alone. -Lord Byron, poet (1788-1824)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith