rum
UK: rʌm | US: rʌm
n. 1. An alcoholic liquor distilled from sugarcane or molasses.
n. 2. (informal) Strange or odd (e.g., "a rum business").
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The word "rum" first appeared in English in the mid-17th century, likely derived from the shortened form of "rumbullion" or "rumbustion," obscure terms of uncertain origin. Some theories suggest a connection to the Romani word "rum" (meaning "strong" or "potent"), while others propose links to the Dutch "roemer" (a drinking glass). Its exact roots remain debated, but it became firmly associated with Caribbean sugarcane distillates by the 18th century. The informal sense of "odd" (early 19th c.) may derive from sailors' slang, where "rum" denoted something exceptional—either splendid or suspicious.
He sipped a glass of dark rum by the beach.
The pirate crew smuggled barrels of rum aboard their ship.
(Informal) That’s a rum way to behave at a formal dinner.
Rum production flourished in colonial-era Barbados.
She detected a rum note of cinnamon in the cocktail.