Buncombe County, North Carolina, was named in 1791 after Col. Edward Buncombe. The derivative use of the word, signifying clap-trap, had this origin: A member of Congress from that district addressed the House in so prosy and lengthy a manner, that many members left the hall. He then told those who remained, that they might go too; he should speak for some time yet, and “he was only talking for Buncombe,” to please his constituents.—See John H. Wheeler, ‘Historical Sketches of North Carolina,’ ii. 52 (Philadelphia, 1851).
1828. “Talking to Bunkum!” This is an old and common saying at Washington, when a member of congress is making one of those hum-drum and unlistened to “long talks” which have lately become so fashionable…. This is cantly called “talking to Bunkum:” an “honorable gentleman,” long ago, having said that he was not speaking to the house, but to the people of a certain county in his district, which, in local phrase, he called “Bunkum.”—Niles’ Weekly Register, Sept. 27: xxxv. 66/2.
1841. We spend the whole of our time in speech-making to Buncomb, instead of practical action for the good of the country.—Mr. Underwood of Ky., House of Repr., Feb. 20: Congressional Globe, p. 340, Appendix.
1843. Mr. Weller of Ohio thought the question had been sufficiently debated, for nearly all the speeches had been made for Buncombe.—The same, Dec. 11: id., p. 43.
1844. Mr. Clingman of N. Carolina said that Mr. Duncan had avowed that his speech was intended for Buncombe. He (Mr. C.) happened to live in Buncombe, and … if [Mr. D.] intended such speeches as he had made for the veritable Buncombe, the people there were too hard-headed to swallow them.—The same, March 7: id., p. 356.
1846. Mr. Tibbatts of Ky. said he had no reference to Buncombe, no popular favor to court in the views which he expressed.—The same, May 19: id., p. 840.
1847. Look at the amount of Buncombizing which was done in this Hall upon the land bounty bill, and upon the resolution of thanks to General Taylor, and his officers and men, for their successful effort in storming Monterey.—Mr. Brodhead of Pa., the same, Feb. 9: id., p. 328, App.
1847. A great deal of ‘bunkum,’ sprinkled with a high seasoning of political juggling, the whole of which has but one end and aim—the spoils of Uncle Sam.—Robb, ‘Streaks of Squatter Life,’ &c., p. 17 (Phila.).
1848. We would have less sound and more sense, less for Buncum and more for the country in ther speeches in our Capitol at Washington.—W. T. Thompson, ‘Major Jones’s Sketches of Travel,’ p. 84 (Phila.).
1850. Conventions, rights of independence, caucuses, agitation, and whatever else may be implied by the American expression, “bunkum.’—The Times, Jan. 24. (N.E.D.)
1850. It looks as if one part of the speech was addressed to a Whig Buncombe, and another part to a Democratic Buncombe; one to the eastern Buncombe, and the other to the western Buncombe.—Mr. Stanly of North Carolina, House of Repr., March 6: Cong. Globe, p. 342, Appendix.
1850. Talking for Bunkum. Three hours has got to be a very common thing.—Knick. Mag., xxxv. 348 (April).
1854. Bushey spreads it on rather thick, “all for Buncome,” of course.—Oregonian, Jan. 21.
[The allusion is to Asahel Bush of Salem, Oregon, who became a banker and a man of wealth.]
1854. My clients … are bunkum yet—allers stands up to the rack at the end of an execution.—H. H. Riley, ‘Puddleford,’ p. 157 (N.Y.). [Exceptional use of the word.]
1854. The first of these measures of weighty import is buncombe, the second of still greater import is buncombe, and the third of mighty magnitude is buncombe.—Oregonian, Dec. 23.
1855. You will learn that such humbug buncombe appeals will not tell in this territory.—Olympia (W.T.) Review, June 8.
1857. The cawing of congresses of crows, clamorous as if talking to Buncombe.—S. G. Goodrich, ‘Recollections,’ i. 101 (Bartlett).
1858. An attorney … was making a boisterous, thundering, Buncome speech in an uncertain cause.—Knickerbocker Mag., li. 538 (May).
1858. All the Buncome orators want to be ‘right on the record.’—Id., li. 539.
1861. A poor, shoeless, shirtless, and hatless Bunkumite.—Oregon Argus, Feb. 16.
1861. We have been so much accustomed to the Buncombe style of oratory, that we are apt to allow a great latitude in such matters.—Atlantic Monthly, p. 237 (Feb.).
1862.
| So they ain’t no more bothersome than ef we’ d took an’ sunk ’em, | |
| An’ yit enj’y th’ exclusive right to one another’s Buncombe. | |
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 2nd S., No. 2. |
1866. It’s good Buncombe to have a scape-goat!—C. H. Smith, ‘Bill Arp,’ p. 69.
1909. [Senator Thurston’s extravagant laudation of Secretary Alger] is sheer buncombe, of course.—N.Y. Ev. Post, Jan. 25.
