subs. (common).—(1) A row; a noise; a disturbance: also as verb. and adj. (GROSE); (2) = a masquerade (VAUX, 1812).
1763. FOOTE, The Mayor of Garratt, ii. 2. Oh Major! such a riot and RUMPUS!
1819. T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, 6. And, setting in case there should come such a RUMPUS.
1830. BUCKSTONE, The Wreck Ashore, i. 2. There never shall be no disgraceful RUMPUSSES, now I’m come into power.
1850. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, xxiv. And Marie routed up Mammy nights, and RUMPUSSED and scolded.
1876. G. ELIOT, Daniel Deronda, xii. She is a young lady with a will of her own, I fancy. Extremely well-fitted to make a RUMPUS.
