One of the questions that Brummies are always asked is why Birmingham is shortened to Brum. It is just one of their old age questions that are up there with why are Brummies so proud of their canals.
But, we thought that we would answer the questions about the shorthand sayings that have become common knowledge the world over following the huge success of the sixth series of Peaky Blinders.
Why is Birmingham Called Brum?
Birmingham was originally called Brummagem when it was first found around 600 AD. While the name of the city has changed slightly over time, the original name since gets mentioned throughout history; including at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Brummagem’s legacy remains to this day, as it is just shortened to ‘Brum’ as slang for the Second City. As a result, the natives of the city are called Brummies, and the accent is known as Brum.
One of the most common nicknames for Birmingham is Brum, which is simply just a shortened version of the name of the city. It is also a fun play on words based on the noises that cars make. The success of this nickname hit new heights with the 90s children’s show called ‘Brum’.
The show saw a car come to life and explore the streets of the city and was watched by almost every child throughout the 90s, helping the city become more popular with the emerging generation.
Why are people from the city called Brummies?
The term ‘Brummies’ follows on from the shorthanded term of Brum, as it is just a word that is associated with people that live in the city. However, it is not to be confused with people from outside of the city, as locals from around the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, as well as Walsall, will be slightly annoyed if they are called Brummies, as they are proud members of the Black Country.
The key to picking this up is the slight change in accent. It may be daunting for an outsider, but those that live in the area will immediately understand the difference between regions.
