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You are here: Home / Language / Where does the word “Humdrum” come from and What does Humdrum mean?

Where does the word “Humdrum” come from and What does Humdrum mean?

April 6, 2020 by Karen Hill

Hum, yes, because that which is humdrum has the monotony of the humming of a bee or other insect.

But drum, well, did this added syllable, back in the sixteenth century, also convey the monotone of a drumbeat?

It is doubtful, though such could have been the case.

But it is more likely that drum was added merely because it rhymed with hum and just happened to be a word itself.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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