# Etymology of "bump" in a posting sense **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169 "2003-11-25T13:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/1 "2003-11-25T13:20:25Z")
You’ve all seen it. People “bump” posts to get them up to the top of a board/forum. I’d always assumed that it meant bump as in push. Checking [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com), I can see two definitions that sound right: 3a. To knock to a new position; shift: bumped the crate out of the way. 5. To raise; boost: bump up the price of gasoline. So, to the question. I’ve seen someone post that it means “Bring up my post”. Naturally, ever since I heard about NEWS and POSH, I’m more than a little suspicious about acronyms. However, those are old words whereas bump was presumably first used relatively recently in this context. So does anyone have the dope on the first use of bump? ---
**Author:** ![NoGoodNamesLeft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoGoodNamesLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoGoodNamesLeft)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/2 "2003-11-25T14:28:14Z")
This post is begging to not be answered… Since I spoiled that, I can tell you I’ve never really thought about it that way. I’ve usually seen it written _BUMP_ or the like, so I always just assumed it came from somebody writing a ‘bump’ sound. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/3 "2003-11-25T14:40:59Z")
Like **NGNL** , I never really thought about it. It was “just one of those things”. However, here: [http://jargon.mu.nu/Archives/cat\_lexicon\_b.html](http://jargon.mu.nu/Archives/cat_lexicon_b.html) It says it goes way back to C++ programming jargon, though it says little else. I can easily see computer geeks who speak the compu-lingo quickly bringing this into regular use on message boards, but I have no idea how long ago this may have happened of if it came into use another way. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/4 "2003-11-25T14:59:14Z")
OED lists ‘bump up’ as meaning ‘increase’ from at least 1940, so I think its pre-computer. I’m not guessing how that usage did originate, but bump=nudge -\> bump up=increase imprecisely -\> bump -\> increase position in list seems a plausible change to me. [http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/00029317?query\_type=word&queryword=bump&edition=2e&first=1&max\_to\_show=10&sort\_type=alpha&result\_place=4&search\_id=PHup-CHBcCs-3044&hilite=00029317](http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/00029317?query_type=word&queryword=bump&edition=2e&first=1&max_to_show=10&sort_type=alpha&result_place=4&search_id=PHup-CHBcCs-3044&hilite=00029317) > [@](#): > > **to bump up** : to increase or raise (prices, etc.) suddenly. colloq. > > - 1940 N. MITFORD Pigeon Pie xii. 192 Olga bumps up his allowance every time he horsewhips anybody for making a pass at her. 1958 Spectator 10 Jan. 42/2 It is wise at night to look out for places which bump up the prices without warning.\* ---
**Author:** ![boofy\_bloke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@boofy\_bloke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boofy_bloke)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/5 "2003-11-26T02:56:52Z")
It could be from demote: Assign to a lower position; reduce in rank. You make your new post which gets bumped “up” as everyone else makes their new post, then bumped “down” (to number 1) as someone replies. ---
**Author:** ![SubliminaLiar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@SubliminaLiar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubliminaLiar)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/6 "2003-11-26T03:47:14Z")
_ **BUMP** _ _Well, SOMEONE had to do it…_😛 ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bump-in-a-posting-sense/215169/7 "2003-11-26T14:47:33Z")
My possibly (OK, probably) unreliable memory has instances of ‘bump up’ being used to refer to non-computer queues. Along the lines of “If you complete this assignment successfully, we’ll bump you up in the promotion list.” I agree that Shade’s 'bump/nudge --\> bump/move --\> bump up/move up --\> bump/move up in a list" evolution is very plausible, though of course plausibility has little to do with etymology, and historical research is the way to get a real answer.