What's the origin of the word 'BUM',and is it used throughout the English speaking world?

Answer 1

Check out word detective. Sounds like the english bum(behind) and US bum have seperate orgins.

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The word "bum" in this sense of "vagrant or beggar" almost certainly comes from the German "Bummler," meaning "loafer." Although recipients of "the bum's rush" often land on their posteriors (if they're lucky), the slang term "bum" meaning "buttocks" is unrelated, much older (circa 1387), and of unknown origin.

Answer 2

Don't know the origins of the term. They represent the third level, or bottom level, of a subculture in America. In relationship to those of us who hold jobs, the plays out like this

Hobos, themselves, seem to differentiate themselves as travelers who are willing to do work;
A "tramp" will travel, but will not work;
A "bum" will do neither.

Bums are the people you see panhandling for money. They often have a home, but refuse to hold a job to support themselves. I have a web cam video of one riding in my taxi, talking about how his night went panhandling on the Plaza.

The term Hobo comes from the depression days, when they would migrate from farm job to farm job. When you see a cartoon of a Hobo, it often shows him hold a stick with a cloth bag tied to it. Actually, was a gardening hoe they always kept with them for when they worked the farms.

Answer 3

In the US it means a vagrant or someone idle. It is 19th century in origin, from "bummer" - a loafer.

In the UK and Australia it means the rump and the origin of this goes back to the 14th century. Origins uncertain.