bumble puppy

alternative bumble-puppy · alternative bumblepuppy

1. historicaluncountableA game in which players attempt to project metal balls into nine holes in a flat wooden board; nineholes.First known use 18th c.
2. archaicuncountableAny of various childish or informal games.First known use 19th c.

   Cecil was absent—one did not play bumble-puppy when he was there.

   1908, EM Forster, A Room With A View, Penguin, published 2018, page 104

3. uncountablecard gamesA simplified form of whist; whist or bridge played unskilfully.First known use 19th c.

   Templeton isn't the sort of chap to play bumble-puppy bridge with a girl like that unless he's getting something out of it.

   1947, W. Somerset Maugham, Creatures of Circumstance

4. uncountableSwingball or tetherball.First known use 19th c.