bờm

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓəːm˨˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓəːm˦˩]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓəːm˨˩]

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

(classifier cái) bờm • (𣭛)

1. (of an equid, lion or cheetah) a mane
2. a headband

• hồng mao

Perhaps from a folktale of a silly, clumsy boy named "Bờm", who was offered many valuable things in exchange for his fan, but refused them all and only accepted a handful of sticky rice. This tale is usually expressed in poetic form.

Thằng Bờm có cái quạt mo
Phú ông xin đổi ba bò chín trâu
Bờm rằng Bờm chẳng lấy trâu
Phú ông xin đổi một xâu cá mè
Bờm rằng Bờm chẳng lấy mè
Phú ông xin đổi một bè gỗ lim
Bờm rằng Bờm chẳng lấy lim
Phú ông xin đổi con chim đồi mồi
Bờm rằng Bờm chẳng lấy mồi
Phú ông xin đổi nắm xôi, Bờm cười.

Bờm-boy'd got a spathe fan

Rich man asked for it for three zebus and nine buffaloes

Bờm said Bờm wanted no buffaloes

Rich man asked for it for a string of barbs

Bờm said Bờm wanted no barbs

Rich man asked for it for a raft made of ge mu

Bờm said Bờm wanted no ge mu

Rich man asked for it for a bird statue made of the shell of a turtle

Bờm said Bờm wanted no turtle

Rich man asked for it for a handful of sticky rice, and Bờm smiled.

bờm • (𣭛)

1. (colloquial, humorous) silly and lacking in common sense