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ə adjective
1.
showy but inferior and worthless.
noun
2.
a showy but inferior and worthless thing.
Origin:
1630–40; local variant of Birmingham, England (Compare Bromwichham, Bromecham (17th century), Middle English Burmingeham); orig. in allusion to counterfeit coins produced there in the 17th cent.
1630–40; local variant of Birmingham, England (Compare Bromwichham, Bromecham (17th century), Middle English Burmingeham); orig. in allusion to counterfeit coins produced there in the 17th cent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
Brummagem (ˈbrʌmədʒəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an informal name for Birmingham Often shortened to: Brum |
| 2. | (sometimes not capital) something that is cheap and flashy, esp imitation jewellery |
| —adj | |
| 3. | (sometimes not capital) cheap and gaudy; tawdry |
| [C17: from earlier Bromecham, local variant of | |
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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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
More brummagem
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
brummagem
"cheap and showy," 19c., from a noun, from the vulgar pronunciation of Birmingham, England, in reference to articles mass-manufactured there. The word also recalls Birmingham's old reputation for counterfeiting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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