card game, by 1905, rhum, rhummy, of unknown origin, perhaps from the drink, by analogy with whisky poker, or from card-playing terms in German (Rum) or Dutch (roem), which are related to German Ruhm "glory, fame." Gin rummy is attested by 1941. Rummy meaning "drunkard" is 1851, from rum (n.); the meaning "opponent of temperance" in U.S. politics is from 1860.
