The age-herald., 1898-08-03
A Hastily Coined Word
 Which Became a Fad

While this is period that is marked by affeetations In words and expressions, there are number of meaningless phrases that have crept into popular favor and which in time will fall into complete disuse.
 Just why the word "bumming'' should be regarded as descriptive of woman's shopping tour is simply one of the unea- plained mannerisms of the day, and is prob ably the most absurd word in vogue. It is supposed to be a variation of a lark, which is in itself suggestive of fete champetre. If one says that one has been out "bumming," it opens such wide pos abilities, as the same suffices to cover up anything that bummng might make per- init of utter disregard of proprieties and is apparently so broad in its scope that a girl may go on a fashionable bum which is malice-a-fore-t thought, or she may go sud- denly a-bumming, and the very fact that she Is out bumming will excuse any inform- alities that would be evident on un-bum- ming occasions.
 It is good word that was coined so speedily that it positively became fad. Cumming expeditions were arranged daily, and the average one ended with luncheon, just as any other form of entertainment It might have been a Dutch treat" but an up-to-date bum must include a menu, no matter how simple.
 The girls out of town come in for bum" and the girls in town say to each other, Suppose we go out for bum After all, the fault lies in the word and not in the "bummers." It really does not signify any thing more frivolous more serious than a morning in town inspecting new fabrics or looking over late books, leisure hour spent in the shopping dis tricts. It is not even a delicate transla- tion, but positively worse in it's suggestive mes than a-slumming, which is another fashionable form of amusement Sum- ming seems to deal exclusively with a class of people for whom one would work for their redemption. It means that there is an element that is either beyond or below any affectation in words, that a-slum- ming has not the frowsy frou-frou sound of a-bummng. The former instinctly im- presses you of the great need of proprie- ties. while the latter to the un- initiated seems oop-hole through which proprieties may slip. Some devotees of this form of amuse- ment were discussing the peculiarities of words the other day. "Of all words" said a girl somewhat given to slang, deliver me rom the word 'bumm1ng. had a telephone message the other day from a friend asking me to come in town, and that we would go for bum I had used the word many times myself, but 1t inn pressed me over the phone a word that was thoroughly inappropriate and positive ly suggestive of adventure when it meant for us only busy morning in town getting together some odds and ends for the sum- mer trip.''
 A girl in befrilled orgazne chimed in: 'I don't object to the w sl. she said, but it is the most tladamfny dull thing in the world to stR-" out with people who are in for g. iin.' They never know when to --ecne home"
 The others agreed that a-bumming is a most irrelevant expression and so far as it concerns the wel-bred American girl bears out the familiar What's in name?
 Luncheons representing some chosen flow CTS are the fad among hostesses of summer homes. They are served under the trees on small tables linked together with chain of the selected blossoms daisy luncheon is one of the prettiest on account of the artistic possibilities of that flower. White cloth cut out around the edge in daisy petals may serve for the table linen, bowl of dasies is the center-piece, and if the chair Is decorated with daisies the effect is perfect. Some of the courses may be gar nished with daisies cut out of hard-boiled eggs or white turnips, and it is simple matter to serve ice cream in daisy form, using pstache for the leaves, some white ice for the petals and a yellow French cream or frozen clustered for the center.