Where did the word "bimble" come from ?

[pentrekeeper]

Just curious ?

Sorry typo I meant FROM but can't correct title lol.

 

[nunzionuk]

http://public.oed.com/appeals/bimble/

That has some information about it.

 

[pentrekeeper]

Thanks, silly me I thought it was bushcraft terminology as I've only seen it on here.

 

[TeeDee]

I believe its more of a saying originating from the Royal Marines. Just more bootie slang.


http://www.aboutlanguageschools.com/slang/royal-marines-slang.asp

 

[sandbender]

Just curious ?

Sorry typo I meant FROM but can't correct title lol.

Fixed that for you.

 

[pentrekeeper]

Thanks sandbender

 

[Outlaw13]

It's also a word used a lot in UK scuba diving. Used for when you take a relaxed slow dive with no real objective.

 

[Hammock_man]

Could it be a bit of local slang that was used by a bootie and then by his squad and hence by his unit?

 

[Macaroon]

"Bummel" is a German word meaning, in the venacular, a slow and leisurely stroll for any or no purpose; when spoken aloud in local dialects it sounds very like "Bimble". Plenty of ways for our military boys to have adopted it through this route, or else as any linguist will tell you German is the mother of English, so it may well be a much older migration; the NE coast of the UK would be a natural point of entry for much old German slang, from the days when fishermen would be stranded in foul weather for longer or shorter periods of time.

Intriguing indeed

 

[Bigfoot]

Yep, Royal Marine slang for walking at slow pace.

 

[mrcharly]

I suspect it is a pretty old phrase. 'Bummel' was in common use in victorian times.

 

[bullterrier]

Always knew it from the British Army. Often heard from a Senior NCO debriefing a patrol of officer cadets/YOs following a less than stellar performance on a patrol. Also heard during same debrief would be less than complimentary observations about thumbs apparently be left up rear ends etc etc. Oh, the laughs we had........

 

[nic a char]

"bimble" is a bit wimpy, don't you think? MCFs on an urban fringe stroll...
STRAVAIG is much more bushy, imo

 

[sandbender]

"bimble" is a bit wimpy, don't you think? MCFs on an urban fringe stroll...
STRAVAIG is much more bushy, imo

I had to look that one up, wrong side of Scotland I guess.

"...Stravaig, pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable which is pronounced like vague, means to roam or wander around, often for pleasure and frequently with no particular destination or aim in mind..."

I don't think bimble sounds wimpy, but then I seldom do anything in a wimpy manner, so when I'm bimbling it isn't wimpy.