Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1832, 1909-1923
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FLUMGUMMERY, n. Also -gumery; flummer-gummery (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 108; Abd.27 1930) and in curtailed form flum-gum (Abd.4 1931). Any foolish or frivolous thing or action, tomfoolery, gewgaws, fanciful ornamentation or trimmings (Bnff.2, Abd.9 1945).Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 95:
Ye maun just sing afore ye louse a pin, Nae mair flumgumm'ry wi' ye, just begin.Abd. 1909 J. Tennant Jeannie Jaffray 255:
New-fangled "flumgumery" as hats, bonnets, and "gumflowers," cashmeres, delaines or orleans.Bnff. 1923 Banffshire Jnl. (27 Nov.):
It's like a bride's cake wi' a' that fite flumgummery aboot it.
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"Flumgummery n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Jul 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/flumgummery>
