rumpty-tumpty
English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Adjective
[edit]rumpty-tumpty (comparative more rumpty-tumpty, superlative most rumpty-tumpty)
- With a lively beat and strong, non-syncopated rhythm; upbeat and bouncy.
- 2004, Marion Arnott, "Dollface", in Ed Gorman, Martin H. Greenberg (editors), The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, Fifth Annual Collection, page 238
- It's a right rumpty-tumpty tune anyway.
- 2014, Christopher Joll, The Speedicut Papers: Book 3 (1857-1865): Uncivil Wars, →ISBN, page 314:
- Well you know, sir, it's very difficult to have a favourite when it's all such jolly, rumpty-tumpty stuff.
- 2014, Marc Alexander, The Dark Domain, →ISBN, page 151:
- I loved poetry in school, especially the rumpty-tumpty kind.
- 2004, Marion Arnott, "Dollface", in Ed Gorman, Martin H. Greenberg (editors), The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, Fifth Annual Collection, page 238
Interjection
[edit]- A nonsense word, especially in simple or childish songs.
- 1911, Eugene Field, The Holy Cross and Other Tales[1]:
- Rumpty-tumpty, pimplety-pan— / The flubdub courted a catamaran / But timplety-topplety, timpity-tare— / The flubdub wedded the big blue bear!
Noun
[edit]- Nonsense.
- 2001, Benny Green, Dominic Green, Such Sweet Thunder: Benny Green on Jazz, page 237:
- He believes the music should come first because otherwise the words will be nothing more than rumpty-tumpty.
- (slang, euphemistic, chiefly UK) Sex.
- 2012, Ellie Bennett, Mud, Sweat and Gears, →ISBN:
- This female was clearly not up for any rumpty tumpty in the grass, and she bopped her suitor a few times before he got the message and sulkily sloped back to his corner of the field.