WHAT IS GUMPTION?

Someone who has “gumption” shows a mixture of bravery and resourcefulness.

 Examples of use:

 “Clara’s sheer gumption in holding everything together after her husband’s illness and death would command admiration in the 21st century, let alone the mid-19th.”

 “Fans of the crustacean will be worried to hear that the future of the local industry is under threat, according to local fishermen. They argue that young people don’t want the work involved in a life catching Cromer crabs, and that they don’t have the gumption to stick at it.”

 “Mr Wild has over 30 years’ experience in the advertising industry and is described as having the right mix of insight, humour and gumption that is only found in true leaders of the industry.”


 The origin of this word is unknown [1].


 Photo credit: Franco Folini

 [1] “gumption” in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, edited by Hoad, T. F., Oxford University Press, 1996