Bumfit
(Old Cumbrian numbers: Carlisle, England)
I noticed these numbers on a gate along the long walk that my mother and I took on Saturday. At first – not thinking clearly in the intoxicating sunshine – I thought ‘Yan Tyan Pump’ was an odd name for a house. As soon as we had passed it, deep in conversation, I halted, the chatter ceased and I went back for another look. At one time I would have been able to recite these numbers from one to twenty in this way, though these are only 1, 2 and 5 to match the house number. I think it was the spellings that threw me – I know ‘tyan’ as ‘tan’ and ‘pimp’, not ‘pump’. Now you might be confused! To illuminate, these alien words are the traditional manner of sheep counting in Cumberland and the surrounding areas – I think even in the Scottish borders. Now it is practically unknown and unused, primarily selling amusing postcards detailing several of the more characterful numbers. I can only get as far as ten on a good day; yan, tan, tethera, methera, pimp, sethera, lethera, hovera dovera, dick. That’s the numbers one to ten right there, hilarious to a modern audience. My favourite has always been the number fifteen; the beautifully crafted ‘bumfit’. If you ever need to count sheep, now you can do so with relative authenticity in Northern England.
After a little research, it seems I know the ‘Borrowdale’ sheep tally system, but there are many more that are remarkably similar. As I recall, one half of my family originate from around Borrowdale so that makes some sense – I’m sure my Grandmother would have been able to count to ninety-nine. It’s heart warming to see such traditions still active in some capacity in Carlisle, even just as a house sign. I was quietly proud that I recognised the numbers and their origins. For a second, I actually felt more English than Scottish; a feeling I haven’t had in a long time.
Fancy learning it? Have a go!
– Today Rosie is having a haircut in Glasgow, Scotland
