dumdum

¹

[ duhm-duhm ]

noun

1. a hollow-nosed or soft-nosed bullet that expands on impact, inflicting a severe wound.

dumdum

²

[ duhm-duhm ]

noun

1. dum-dum.

dumdum

/ ˈdʌmˌdʌm /

noun

1. a soft-nosed or hollow-nosed small-arms bullet that expands on impact and inflicts extensive laceration Also calleddumdum bullet

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumdum¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after Dum-Dum, town in India where the bullets were made

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumdum¹

C19: named after Dum-Dum, town near Kolkata (Calcutta) where these bullets were made

Example Sentences

He often described himself as “a professional dumdum” — a dogged interlocutor whose questions led to some extraordinary structures and, at least once, to no structure at all.

From New York Times

I don’t want to watch dumdums fall down.

From New York Times

Here comes the dumdum who had no idea what we were saying.

From Time

Maybe you shouldn't pose nude if you can't handle the public seeing it. #dumdum.

From The Verge

He’d heard the word so often—mostly from Maria—he’d thought it was only a swear word, like dumdum or cootie face.

From Literature

Related Words

• clodpoll