humdrum English · revision 1328

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhʌmdɹʌm/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a reduplication of [[hum]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) perhaps with the second part influenced by [[drum]].^(Barnhart 1995) Random House records an earlier form ''humtrum''.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Monotonous, dull, commonplace (1553).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a noun the word first meant a dull person (1590s)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and from 1727 dullness or monotonous talk.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A plural ''humdrums'' meaning “low spirits” (1757) is obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1553 – dull, monotonous.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1598 – noun, a dull person.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1727 – noun, monotony.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1733 – verb, to proceed in a dull way.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Lacking variety or excitement; [[monotonous]] and dull.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Monotonous routine or talk.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' A dull person.^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[humdrumness]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House gives ''tedious'', ''routine'', ''mundane'' and ''tiresome'' as synonyms.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}