# What is "The bum's rush?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 27, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554 "2012-07-27T12:13:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/1 "2012-07-27T12:13:30Z")
I understand it to mean an unsophisticated attack, probably not armed, and probably depending largely on catching the victim off-guard. But I am wondering if there is a more specific definition used perhaps in martial arts, or hand-to-hand combat training… Either as a skill to be learned, or a type of attack to be defended against. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/2 "2012-07-27T12:20:31Z")
> [@](#): > > bum’s rush (plural bum’s rushes) > > 1.(chiefly North America, slang, idiomatic) Forcible ejection from an establishment, as of a bum (hobo). > **[bum's rush - Wiktionary, the free dictionary](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bum's_rush)** see also: [The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms - Google Books](http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN1853263095&id=8C7k7ZW3dIEC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=%22Bum's+rush%22+dictionary&sig=zaD0ZFJMQE6hMJJXlOwkS4FmWJ4#v=onepage&q=%22Bum's%20rush%22%20dictionary&f=false) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/3 "2012-07-27T12:54:52Z")
It’s not an attack, it’s kicking someone out. Like a bouncer “escorting” a rowdy patron out of a bar. ---
**Author:** ![FasterThanMeerkats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@FasterThanMeerkats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FasterThanMeerkats)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/4 "2012-07-27T13:12:20Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > It’s not an attack… Unless you’re playing FF III. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/5 "2012-07-27T13:19:20Z")
To give someone the “bum’s rush” is to expel someone: “The bartender gave the drunk the bum’s rush after the other patrons complained.” To “bum-rush” something is to crash an event, like getting into a concert without paying: “We are going to time travel to 1989 and bum-rush a sold-out Public Enemy concert.” [Cite.](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bum-rush) ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/6 "2012-07-27T13:22:46Z")
At times like these i turn to the wisdom of [UrbanDictionary.com](http://UrbanDictionary.com)[ > [@](#): > > Ejection from an area or establishment, classically via being picked up by the seat of your pants and the back of your shirt. The term has come to include most forms or violent rejection. Presumably this came from the ejecting of panhandlers from business establishments. > _I went to a party, but I got too drunk and they gave me the bum’s rush._ ]([Urban Dictionary: Bum's Rush](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bum%27s%20Rush))There’s also a similar [second def](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bums%20Rush). ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/7 "2012-07-27T14:15:56Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > At times like these i turn to the wisdom of [UrbanDictionary.com](http://UrbanDictionary.com)[. There’s also a similar [URL=“http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bums%20Rush”]second def](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bum%27s%20Rush). There’s also a lot of nonsense definitions there as well, so it doesn’t really help. Those nonsense definitions are probably what gave the OP the misconception to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/8 "2012-07-27T14:29:45Z")
> [@srzss05](#): > > There’s also a lot of nonsense definitions there as well, so it doesn’t really help. Those nonsense definitions are probably what gave the OP the misconception to begin with. The third definition has nothing to do with the OP’s question, but the second one merely explains that the bum’s rush may be the figurative form of a physical ouster, treating someone with the same disregared as a bum being ejected from an establishment. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/9 "2012-07-27T14:43:18Z")
Up, up-right, right, down-right, down, down-left, left, up-left. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/10 "2012-07-27T15:18:56Z")
The bum’s rush is usually depicted by having the bouncer grab the person by the collar and beltn and forcibly push him out the door. Other than cartoons and comics, I have no idea if it’s actually done this way, however; it might work for some people, but not for others. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/11 "2012-07-27T15:48:14Z")
In my social circle bums rush generally relates to how you are treated at a business. They don’t seem to want you there? Don’t seem terribly inclined to be helpful? Can’t seem to get you out of the door fast enough (wihout actually getting forceful or telling you to do so)? Thats my local version of getting the “bum’s rush” Of course I don’t hang around with people that would need the more direct and physical version of the bum’s rush. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/12 "2012-07-27T15:58:09Z")
It’s the “rush” part that always confused me. It’s not like bouncers go all-out for speed. I’ve always thought “the bum’s bounce” or “the bum’s heave” would have made more sense. But nobody asked me. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/13 "2012-07-27T17:00:13Z")
I believe George and Clarence get the bum’s rush in “Its a wonderful life” from Nick’s. The rush part seems to come from the final push to make sure the bum is off balance and can not right himself when you let him go. ---
**Author:** ![realmojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@realmojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/realmojo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/14 "2012-07-27T17:14:28Z")
"We don’t have bums in our town, Marge, and if we did they wouldn’t rush, they’d be allowed to go at their own pace. " ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/15 "2012-07-28T00:20:26Z")
I have also seen and heard it used to describe the very specific technique of grabbing someone’s hands, between their legs, from behind, to force them to stumble forward, off balance. It’s an effective way to gain control of someone. (The disadvantage is that it isn’t easy to get someone into that position. But once you do, they’re toast.) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/16 "2012-07-28T00:36:21Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > I understand it to mean an unsophisticated attack, probably not armed, and probably depending largely on catching the victim off-guard… That’s what you’re doing if you “bum rush” somebody (verb). “Bum’s rush” (noun) appears to mean something different. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/17 "2012-07-28T01:54:44Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I have also seen and heard it used to describe the very specific technique of grabbing someone’s hands, between their legs, from behind, to force them to stumble forward, off balance. It’s an effective way to gain control of someone. (The disadvantage is that it isn’t easy to get someone into that position. But once you do, they’re toast.) Exactly this was dramatized, to exaggerated parody excess, in the James Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever”. On the deck of a ship at sea, Bond gets one of the bad guys in this position and, just by pulling on his hands and arms (between the guy’s legs), hurls him overboard. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/18 "2012-07-28T04:22:16Z")
And it’s implied/acted by the obviously homosexual bad guy, that that pressure on his balls is slightly pleasurable. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/19 "2012-07-28T09:36:12Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The bum’s rush is usually depicted by having the bouncer grab the person by the collar and beltn and forcibly push him out the door. Other than cartoons and comics, I have no idea if it’s actually done this way, however; it might work for some people, but not for others. I saw someone gets the classic bum’s rush like this maybe three months ago. I was walking along the pavement in the early evening and a vagrant was physically chucked out in this style from a small grocers shop. It happened right in front of me and the bloke ended up in the street! He swore a bit at the grocer, who was standing in his doorway, and then wandered off… ---
**Author:** ![Vicullum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/6de8d8/32.png) [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554/20 "2012-07-28T13:15:42Z")
I guess this is slightly different from “bum rush”? That’s the way I’ve always heard it and the definition for it on [Urban Dic](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bum%20rush) matches with my experience: “The act of attacking someone or something (usually by a group) with the reckless abandon and fervor of one who has nothing to lose.” Edit: missed a post upthread [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bums-rush/629554.md?page=2)