Note 2 — Chapter I · AMONG THE CARIBBEES
Reading edition
The origin of the colloquial name of “Bimshire Land” for Barbados and of “Bims” for its natives appears to puzzle many people. One writer in a well-known magazine went so far as to suggest that it was a corruption of “bam”! In reality it was applied to the island owing to the fact that Robert Bims (who was one of the earliest colonizers of St. Kitts), hearing of Barbados, went there with a party of settlers and took possession. Half-humorously and half-sarcastically (for it was generally believed the island was worthless) it was referred to as “Bim’s Shire,” a nickname which has always stuck. ↑