ERR; BUM

[Jesse Sheidlower]

> in the usual way:  bum (n) > bum (v) > bummer (n).  Both the
> chronology of the cites and general word-formation principles would
> seem to support this over the vacuous agentive noun and back-formed
> verb assumed in the bum (n.) > bummer (n.) > bum (v.) derivation the
> RHHDAS favors.  True, "bummer" OUGHT to be blocked by "bum" (with the

"vacuous"! Larry, you do wound me to the quick.

Jesse Sheidlower