English

Noun

rum go ‎(plural rum gos)

1. (slang, idiomatic, Britain, Cockney) An odd affair; a surprising event; a confusing experience; a queer thing.

   Life's a rum go.

Synonyms

• rum goo, rum start, rum 'un

Quotations

• 1836, Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, Chapter 35, Google Books

  ‘Here’s rayther a rum go, sir,’ replied Sam.

  ‘What?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.

  ‘This here, Sir,’ rejoined Sam. ‘I’m wery much afeerd, sir, that the properiator o’ this here coach is a playin’ some imperence vith us.’

• 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, Chapter 7, Google Books

  “Well, who's a better right?” growled the gamekeeper. “A pretty rum go if squire ain't to talk for Dr. Livesey, I should think.”

• 1955, C. S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew, Google Books

  “There they are, Strawberry - Fledge, I should say. This is a rum go.”

• 2003, Mary Poppins the musical

  'Life's a rum go, Guv'nor, and that's the truth.'-Bert

Translations