Etymology Probably a contraction of late Middle English frumpylle (“wrinkle”), from Middle Dutch verrompelen, originally equivalent to for- + rump + -le.
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Colloquial A frumpy person, somebody who is unattractive, drab or dowdy.
You look like such a frump today!
“I don’t mind how many strange women you’ve loved so long as you don’t tell me about them.” “Women!” said Anthony, with a virtuous air. “Women indeed! You ask James here what kind of women I was going about with last time he saw me.” “Frumps,” said Jimmy solemnly. “Utter frumps. Not one a day under forty-five.”1925, Agatha Christie, The Secret of Chimneys:
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Using the ideal of French female beauty as a stick with which to beat Britain's supposedly sexless frumps is a stereotype centuries old.2009 March 28, Angelique Chrisafis, “The mystery of the bikini-clad minister”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
If you flipped through certain magazines at this time you could be forgiven for thinking that there was no right way to be a woman, only wrong ones — bimbo or frump, slut or prude, shrew or doormat.2022 March 31, Alexis Soloski, “Why the Sudden Urge to Reconsider Famous Women?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Etymology Probably a contraction of late Middle English frumpylle (“wrinkle”), from Middle Dutch verrompelen, originally equivalent to for- + rump + -le.
Was ever gentlewoman So frump'd off with a fool!1617, John Fletcher, “The Chances”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
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To assume a countenance or demeanor indicating irritation, ill-humor, or disapproval.
1982, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure I told the guy "Well, now all I can do is come up with excuses" & told him I had to babysit. He frumped like, "Oh, shame!" and asked if I'd be there later.