[‘ Good sense; shrewdness.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /rʌmˈɡʌm(p)ʃn/, U.S. /ˌrəmˈɡəm(p)ʃən/
Etymology:Origin uncertain. Compare later gumption n., rummlegumption n.
Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) suggests a derivation < a variant of the Scots intensifying prefix ram- (see ramgunshoch adj.) + gumption n. (although this is first attested later). However, it is not clear whether rum- can be identified with the more common prefix ram-. It is possible that the word may be shortened < rummlegumption n. (although that word is first attested later), perhaps after ram- (in e.g. rambarre v., ramforce v.). Perhaps compare also rumbullion n.1, rumbustion n.
/Sc./ and Eng. regional (north.).
Good sense; shrewdness.
1686 G. Stuart /Joco-serious Disc./ 26 Had’st thou in thee the least rumgumption [etc.].
1778 J. Beattie in A. Ross /Helenore/ (ed. 2) Ded. p. viii, They need not try thy jokes to fathom, They want rumgumption.
1785 A. Shirrefs /Poems/ (1790) 321 But sure it wad be gryte presumption, In ane wha has sae sma’ rumgumption.
1832 T. Moore /Wks./ III. 209 Oh listen to one, who..Has thought of a plan, which—excuse his presumption—He hereby submits to your Royal rumgumption.
1836 J. Grant /Tales of Glens/ 62 Charlie had aften shewn mair rumgumption about these matters than mysel.
1860 /Slang Dict./ (ed. 2) 203 /Rumgumption/, or gumption, knowledge, capacity, capability.
1919 G. R. Brown /Beyond Sunset/ xvi. 317 The only one among you with enough rumgumption to see a fortune when it lay before you.
1980 D. K. Cameron /Willie Gavin/ xix. 192 Menfolk were..upbraided for their lack of rumgumption (good sense).
2002 J. Burke /Eighteen/ 300 They are trying to get me to show a little—I believe Uncle calls it ‘rumgumption’.