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bumbailiff

[buhm-bey-lif]

Origin

noun British Disparaging.

a bailiff or underbailiff employed in serving writs, making arrests, etc.

Origin:
1595–1605; bum² + bailiff

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

bumbailiff (ˌbʌmˈbeɪlɪf)

—n
	derogatory (Brit) (formerly) an officer employed to collect debts and arrest debtors for nonpayment

[C17: from bum¹ + bailiff, so called because he follows hard behind debtors]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

bumbailiff

server of writs, maker of arrests, etc., c.1600, from bum "arse," because he was always felt to be close behind.

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bumbailiff

bum·bail·iff