"FUMMARD"

[John Marshall]

Can anyone please help?. I understand the "fummard" is a known Lincolnshire slang word for a obnoxious smell. However a friend of mine has advised me that a "fummard" was a 18th. century fenland mammal of the stoat/weasel type but was larger and of heavier build. Having checked several outlets for information I cannot find any reference. Do we have a member on the forum who has the answer.

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

afraid I can't tell you John, but what I can tell you is that 'fummard' is a 'googlewhack', which are as rare as, well, fummards are these days. Lovely word though! Hope there's an etymologist (?)out there who can help you.

[SimonC]

afraid I can't tell you John, but what I can tell you is that 'fummard' is a 'googlewhack', which are as rare as, well, fummards are these days. Lovely word though! Hope there's an etymologist (?)out there who can help you.
ahh, not a true Googlewhack I'm afraid Darren!
1, It's not underlined in the blue bar (meaning it isn't in the Dictionary) &
2, A proper googlewhack requires two words (both in the dictionary!)

;)

For more information on the rules of googlewhacking, see here (http://www.googlewhack.com/rules.htm) ;)

[robinm]

On the web I found the expression "Fogo as a fummard" which means "Stinks".

This could fit in with idea of it being the fenland mammal which my have smelt unpleasant.;)

[Adey Baker]

Polecat possibly? They're larger than Stoats and are well known 'stinkers'

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

Thanks for that Simon, there was me getting all over-excited!GRRRRRRRR!

[SimonC]

Thanks for that Simon, there was me getting all over-excited!GRRRRRRRR!

HEHEHE try Murrelet hairpiece ;)

[Michael Frankis]

HEHEHE try Murrelet hairpiece ;)
Of course as soon as google logs this page, that'll cease to be a googlewhack . . . :-O

[John Marshall]

I have already tried the search engine Robinm, and found the "fogo" definition, also I could not find any trace in dictionaries. Possibly some old mammal books may throw some light on this.

[birdman]

Anyone considered that Fummard and Fulmar might be etymologically the same???

Foul-mouthed (ie bad breath)

[Michael Frankis]

Originally Posted by SimonC
HEHEHE try Murrelet hairpiece ;)

Of course as soon as google logs this page, that'll cease to be a googlewhack . . . :-O
Sure enough!

[Andrew Rowlands]

Sweetmart was the Pine Marten and Foulmart the Polecat. That's the way I heard it.

Andy.

[Alastair Rae]

Try http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/foumart
which is nearly fummard

[John Marshall]

Thanks for all your replies. I have now been informed from a reliable source that the term 'fummard' was used in 18th century Lincolnshire from the fens that this was the local term for Polecat. Sounds like a good old Lincolnshire slang word!!!.

[fatoldgit]

Now then
(NB Lincolnshire greeting; similar to "Hello" in civilized parts of the country)

As a yellerbelly, I can confirm that a "fummard" is/was the polecat.

Apologies for taking so long to respond - the pony express doesn't get through Lincs very often.

The local variation on the phrase (much used by my dad during my teenage years, although I blamed "Old Spice"!) was "You smell like a buck fummard"

Hope this was some use - if not, at least your discussion led me to this great site.

Cheers me owd mucker
Evo

[John Marshall]

Now me owd mucker Fatoldgit,

Nice hearing from a old buck fummard. Welcome from a Wash yellerbelly to a Lincoln mucker, Nice to have you on Bird Forum. I am sure you will enjoy your time here with splendid muckers. Hope you come to see our Montis at Kirton Marsh before the watchpoint closes.

Regards John