dumdum

plural dumdums · alternative dum-dum · alternative dum dum

1. A soft-nosed or hollow point bullet, or a lead bullet incised on the tip with a cross, which expands on impact to cause a greater than normal wound or impact site.

   'The gunman got away without difficulty. You can imagine how they kicked themselves when they saw the gun. Mathis gave me this bullet to show you what you escaped. The nose has been cut with a dum-dum cross.'

   1953, Ian Fleming, “'A Whisper of Love, A Whisper of Hate'”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 96

   2 more examples

   From all accounts it was one of the fiercest fights of the campaign, conducted with great determination and conspicuous bravery. The fact that the rebel leader was an ex-Major on the Permanent Force Staff probably had not a little to do with the serious nature of the fighting, for the Loyalists were furious with him for his treachery. He also knew the seriousness of the position, and fought accordingly; though whether that justified him in permitting his men to use dum-dum bullets is a matter that only a traitor's conscience can decide. The wounds inflicted upon the Government men were frightful; practically every man on the Government side who was killed had been shot with dum-dums. Perhaps the sight of some of their comrades so mutilated had not a little to do with the heavy death-roll on the rebel side. "They shot us with soft-nosed bullets as one would shoot vermin," said one of those who took part. "And had we seen what was awaiting us after the charge there would have been no prisoners!"

   1915, Philip J. Sampson, Capture of De Wet: The South African Rebellion, 1914, E. Arnold, page 188

   He related to us how the savages make bullets from the heart of a very hard wood cured by a special process. These bullets are only effectual when fired from a short range, and when they lodge in the flesh they explode like dumdum bullets.

   March 1920, Alice Ballantine Kirjassoff, “FORMOSA THE BEAUTIFUL”, in National Geographic Magazine, page 267

plural dumdums · alternative dum dum · alternative dumb dumb · alternative dumb-dumb · alternative dumbdumb

1. childishendearingAn ignorant person; an idiot.

   1 more example

   You nervous about tomorrow? No. Oh, you're, like, freaking out. Kind of. Well, hey, just remember they recruited you. So just, you know, keep your pants on and don't curse so much, and you'll be fine. I have to keep my pants on at the interview, really? Yeah, call me old-fashioned, but... It's just like... I know that the athletic department wants me, but I still have to get through the interview. I don't know... I just need to prove that I'm not just a dumdum who can run fast. Hey! You're not just a dumdum who can run fast. You're also very hot.

   2017, Dennis Saldua, “That's My Sweatshirt” (1:50 from the start), in Michael Patrick Jann, director, Atypical, season 1, episode 5, spoken by Evan, Casey (Graham Rogers, Jack Haven (credited as Brigette Lundy-Paine)), via Netflix

1. alternativeAlternative form of Dum Dum (“Indian city”).