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Origin and history of bumbailiff

bumbailiff(n.)

server of writs, maker of arrests, etc., "A bailiff of the meanest kind; one that is employed in arrests" [Johnson], c. 1600, from bum (n.1) "arse" + bailiff, because he was always felt to be close behind. OED compares the French equivalent pousse-cul.

also from c. 1600

Entries linking to bumbailiff

bailiff(n.)

c. 1300 (early 13c. in surnames), "subordinate administrative or judicial officer of the English crown, king's officer in a county, hundred, or other local district;" also "keeper of a royal castle;" also "minor judiciary officer under a sheriff," who serves writs, etc.; from Old French baillif (12c., nominative baillis) "administrative official, deputy," from Vulgar Latin *baiulivus "official in charge of a castle," from Latin baiulus "porter" (see bail (n.1)). From early 14c. as "agent of a lord, overseer of an estate" who directs operations, collects rents, etc.; also used in Middle English of an elected official in a town.

bum(n.1)

"buttocks," late 14c., "probably onomatopœic, to be compared with other words of similar sound and with the general sense of 'protuberance, swelling.' " [OED]

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