Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare earlier rum adj.¹ and later rum n.³, rum adj.²

Etymology: Origin uncertain. The word has often been taken as shortened < either rumbullion n.¹ or rumbustion n., both of which are attested slightly earlier. However, both of these words could instead show fanciful extensions of rum , despite the apparent chronology of the first attestations. The resemblance of rum bouse n. at rum adj.¹ Compounds and rum booze n. at rum adj.¹ Compounds is perhaps simply coincidental, although it is possible that the word shows a shortening of one of these.An alternative etymology is suggested by B. Ruthström in Indogerman. Forschungen (2001) 106 262–75, who revives the suggestion (made as early as W. W. Skeat Etymol. Dict. Eng. Lang. (1883)) that the word is a borrowing < Malay beram rice spirit, explaining the loss of the initial be- as arising by folk-etymological association with rumbullion n.¹, which is attested in 19th-cent. English regional use in the sense ‘tumult, uproar’ (see discussion at that entry), the link being supposed to be the effect of the drink on the drinker. However, this etymology presupposes that an apparently only much later regional sense of rumbullion n.¹ was current in the 17th cent. (although perhaps compare also rumbustious adj. from the late 18th cent.), and also presupposes that the British in the West Indies were taught by Malay, rather than Dutch, trainers how to produce sugar. Any connection with rummer n. or rumkin n. seems very unlikely. The English word was borrowed into many other languages; compare e.g. Dutch rum (1750; also (now rare) rhum), German Rum (1673), Danish rom (a1745; also †rum), Swedish rom (1758; 1711 as †rum), French rhum (1784; 1688 as †rum, 1723 as †rome), Spanish ron (c1770 as †rrom), Portuguese rum (17th cent.; also †ron), Italian rum (1708), Russian rom (1762 as †rum′′). The spelling rhum, now frequently used in the wine and spirits trade, is probably after French.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; it is not certain that all three senses belong to the same word. In senses 2 and 3 probably < rum adj.² (although this is first attested later than sense 2). Sense 1 could likewise derive < rum adj.² (although this is first attested later) or < rum adj.¹, both of which occur designating people, although if so the reason for the specific application to a poor country clergyman is unclear.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare later rummy n.³For an overview of suggested etymologies, which however all encounter chronological or formal problems, see D. Parlett Oxf. Guide Card Games (1990) 144. Although the game ultimately derives from the Mexican card game Conquian (see coon-can n.), there is no evidence in support of a Spanish origin of the names rum or rummy ; Spanish ramy , denoting a similar but distinct card game (20th cent.), is an adaptation of rummy n.³

Etymology: Origin unknown. Apparently originally a cant term. Compare rum adj.², rum n.³ With rum bouse n. at Compounds and rum booze n. at Compounds perhaps compare rum n.² (see discussion at that entry).

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps a specific semantic development of rum adj.¹, with reversal of meaning, perhaps specifically in uses designating a person, e.g. in rum cove gentleman, ‘fine chap’ (compare e.g. quot. 1610 at rum adj.¹), which may have acquired ironic or pejorative connotations for some speakers. Perhaps compare earlier rum n.¹ and also rum n.³

Etymology: Probably < rum adj.²