rum-tum
/ˈrʌmtʌm/exclamation
Used to represent a regular rhythmic musical sound.
noun
1A regular rhythmic musical sound.
2 Rowing. A clinker-built racing-boat for one or more scullers, with outriggers and sliding seat, used on the lower Thames. Occasionally attributive.
- N.E.D. (1910) notes: ‘First built and named at Putney about 1888. The rum-tum is shorter and broader than the gig, and was originally an open boat, but is now canvassed in fore and aft.’..
Origin
Early 19th century. Imitative of the sound of a drum roll. The semantic motivation of sense B. 3 is unclear; it may perhaps show a different word.