- An informal expression of disappointment, sympathy, or regret about a minor misfortune or inconvenient situation.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely derived from the German word Bummler, meaning loafer or idler.
- Evolved in American English slang around the mid-19th century to mean a disappointing thing or situation, perhaps associating loafers with bad outcomes or bad luck.
- Popularized further in the 1960s counter-culture.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- That's rough.
- Lame. (Often used by younger generations for something disappointing or uncool)
- Weak sauce. (Slang, meaning inadequate or disappointing)
Milder/More Formal:
- That's unfortunate.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- How disappointing.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Shit. / Fuck. (As an exclamation of disappointment)
- That's fucked. / That's shitty.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Best used with friends, peers, or in casual situations.
- Avoid in formal settings or when discussing serious tragedies, as it can sound dismissive or minimizing due to its mildness.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Less likely to be misunderstood, but its informality might be missed, leading to use in inappropriate (too formal) situations.
- Its mildness means it should not be used for truly serious or tragic events, as it would sound insensitive.
Examples
- You lost your phone? Oh, bummer.
- The concert was cancelled. What a bummer.
- It's raining on our beach day. Bummer.
Dialogue
Person A: My flight got cancelled because of the weather.
Person B: Oh, bummer. Are you stuck at the airport?
Person A: Yeah, trying to rebook now. It's a whole mess.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My favorite coffee shop is closing down. Major bummer. 😠#SadNews #LocalBusiness
- Comment on a friend's post about a cancelled trip: Oh no, what a bummer! Hope you can reschedule soon.
- Text message: Can't make it tonight, feeling sick. -> Reply: Bummer! Get well soon.
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Yeah, it really is. / Tell me about it.
- Acknowledgment: Yep. / I know.
- Minimizing (sometimes): Ah well, it's okay. / It happens.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Bummer:
- The person who experienced the misfortune might elaborate: Yeah, and I just bought it too.
- The conversation might shift to finding a solution or alternative.
After saying Bummer:
- Usually said in direct response to bad news.
- Might be followed by a related question: Bummer. Is there any way to get a refund?
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a reaction to bad news.
Intonation
- Typically said with falling intonation and a slightly elongated vowel sound. BUM-mer.
- The tone is generally one of mild disappointment or commiseration, not deep sadness.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, but perhaps more associated with Gen X and Millennials (popularized in 80s/90s culture), though still commonly used by younger generations too.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American English, but widely understood in other regions like the UK and Australia due to media influence. They might more naturally say What a shame or That's rubbish.