Crumb, subs. (military).—A pretty woman. Cf., Crummy, adj., senses 1
and 2.
Crumb and Crust Man, subs. phr. (common).—A baker. Cf., Burn-crust and
Master of the rolls. Fr., un marchand de larton.
Crumbs.—See Pick up one’s crumbs and chates.
Crummy, adj. (popular).—1. Fat; plump; well-developed. Especially said
of high-bosomed and full-figured women: e.g., a crummy piece of goods.
[From a provincialism, crum or crom = to stuff, whence crummy = fat or
well stuffed.] Fr., fort en mie (an almost literal translation); elle a
de ça; Sp., carrilludo = plump-faced.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5 ed.). Crummy (a.): ... also fat,
rich, plump, or fleshy.
1819. T. Moore, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress p. 14. For they
saw, notwithstanding Crib’s honest endeavour, To train down the
crummy, ’twas monstrous as ever!
1828. Jon. Bee, Pict. of London, p. 60. A nice, crummy, young
woman, who seemed surprised and interested at his situation.
1843. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. xxix., p. 289. ‘There’s the
remains of a fine woman about Sairah. Poll, ... Too much crumb, you
know,’ said Mr. Bailey; ‘too fat, Poll.’
1865. Henry Kingsley, The Hillyars and the Burtons. You’re crummy
and I ain’t a going to deny it. But you ain’t what I’d call fat.