bum bag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Casual, Informal
Quick answer
What does “bum bag” mean?
A small pouch or bag worn around the waist, secured by a strap.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small pouch or bag worn around the waist, secured by a strap.
A practical, hands-free storage item, often used during travel, sports, or leisure activities, to hold personal items like keys, money, or a phone. The term has also experienced a fashion revival, with modern designer versions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'bum bag' is predominantly British. The American equivalent is 'fanny pack', which is rarely used in British English due to different slang meanings of 'fanny'.
Connotations
In British English, it has neutral-to-slightly unfashionable connotations historically, but this is changing. In American English, 'fanny pack' carries similar historical connotations.
Frequency
'Bum bag' is the standard term in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. 'Fanny pack' is standard in the US and Canada.
Grammar
How to Use “bum bag” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a bum bag.[Subject] fastened the bum bag around [Possessive Pronoun] waist.I keep my [Object] in my bum bag.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bum bag” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He bum-bagged his phone and keys before the run. (informal, rare)
American English
- (Not used as a verb in American English.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb use)
American English
- (No adverb use)
adjective
British English
- The bum-bag trend is back in style.
American English
- (The adjective form 'fanny-pack' is more common: the fanny-pack trend.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Uncommon, except perhaps in retail for describing the product.
Academic
Extremely rare; would only appear in sociological or cultural studies of fashion.
Everyday
Very common when referring to the item, especially in travel/tourist contexts.
Technical
Not a technical term; could appear in product design or textile manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bum bag”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bum bag”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bum bag”
- Pronouncing 'bum' like 'boom'. It is /bʌm/.
- Using 'bum bag' when speaking to an American who may not immediately recognise the term.
- Misspelling as 'bumbag' (though common as a single word, dictionaries often list it as two).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'bum' in this context is a casual, child-friendly British word for 'buttocks'. The term is not considered rude in the UK.
In American English, 'fanny' is a mild, informal word for 'buttocks'. In British English, 'fanny' is a vulgar slang term for female genitalia, so 'fanny pack' is not used and can cause offence.
They have gone through cycles. Long seen as purely practical and unfashionable, they have been re-adopted by the fashion industry since the late 2010s, with many designer versions available.
A bum bag is worn externally, usually on the waist or across the chest. A money belt is worn discreetly under clothing, against the skin, for heightened security.
A small pouch or bag worn around the waist, secured by a strap.
Bum bag is usually casual, informal in register.
Bum bag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌm ˌbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʌm ˌbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tourist patting their BUM to check their BAG is still there.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A STORAGE LOCATION (a specific, mobile part of the body is used for carrying possessions).
Practice
Quiz
Which term would a British person most likely use for a small bag worn around the waist?