Note 32 — III The Period of Growth
Reading edition
Thornton offers examples of this form ranging from 1856 to 1885. During the Civil War the word acquired the special meaning of looter. The Southerners thus applied it to Sherman's men. Vide Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. xii, p. 428; Richmond, 1884. Here is a popular rhyme that survived until the early 90's:
Isidor, psht, psht! Vatch de shtore, psht, psht! Vhile I ketch de bummer Vhat shtole de suit of clothes!
Bummel-zug is common German slang for slow train.