bums

Bums is the plural form of bum, a slang term in the English language with several meanings. It can refer to (1) the buttocks, a part of the body; (2) a homeless person or beggar, used informally; and (3) a lazy or idle person. As a verb, bum can mean to borrow something for nothing or to travel or loiter without a fixed home.

Bodily sense: The term for the buttocks is informal and common in casual speech, but it is not suitable for formal writing or polite conversation.

Homeless sense: Using "bum" to describe a person without a home is well understood but can be pejorative. In many contexts, especially journalism or official discourse, more respectful terminology such as "a person experiencing homelessness" is preferred.

Regional and stylistic notes: In American English, "bum" to mean a homeless person is common, while British English uses similar forms but often favors terms such as "tramp" or "rough sleeper" in formal contexts. The verb senses are widely understood and appear in phrases like "bum a cigarette" or "bum around the country."