Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/hump?view=uk

   hump
   
     * noun 1 a rounded protuberance found on the back of a camel
       or other animal or as an abnormality on a person’s back.
       2 a rounded raised mass of earth or land.
   
     • verb ...

--->  - PHRASES get the hump Brit. informal become annoyed or sulky.
      ...

There is a poem by Rudyard Kipling that uses "hump". Extract from
HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP:
http://www.boop.org/jan/justso/camel.htm

   The Camel's hump is an ugly hump
   Which well you may see at the zoo;
   But uglier yet is the hump we get
   From having too little to do.
   
   Kiddies and grown-ups too-oo-oo,
   If we haven't enough to doo-oo-oo
       We get the hump -
       Camelious hump -
   The hump that is black and blue!
   
   We climb out of bed with a frouzly head
   And a snarly-yarly voice.
   We shiver and scowl and we grunt and we growl
   At our bath and our boots and our toys;
   
   And there ought to be a corner for me
   (And I know there is one for you)
       When we get the hump -
       Camelious hump -
   The hump that is black and blue!
   
   The Cure for this ill is not to sit still
   Or frowst with a book by the fire;
   But to take a large hoe and a shovel also,
   And dig till you gently perspire;
   
   And then you will find that the sun and the wind
   And the Djinn of the Garden too,
       Have lifted the hump -
       The horrible hump -
   The hump that is black and blue!
   
   I get it as well as you-oo-oo -
   If I haven't enough to do-oo-oo!
       We all get the hump -
       Camelious hump -
   Kiddies and grown-ups too!

There is a 1727 citation in OED2 which is said to have doubtful
meaning; excerpt:

3. a. A fit of ill humour or vexation; sulks. Esp. in phr. to give (a
person) the hump. slang.
  (Cf. hump v. 1. Quot. 1727 is of doubtful meaning.)

  1727 De Foe Protest. Monast. 4 Under many Hardships and
Restrictions, many Humps and Grumps.  1873 Slang Dict. s.v., A
costermonger who was annoyed or distressed about anything would
describe himself as having 'the hump'.  1887 F. Gale Game of
Cricket viii. 187 So let's alter the law, Without any more jaw, Or
you'll give an old buffer the hump.  1897 Westm. Gaz. 18 Feb. 1/3 Well,
my boy, you've evidently got the hump..but you must give up that sort
of thing when I'm here.  1910 E. M. Forster Howards End vi. 51 That
tune fairly gives me the hump.  1939 T. S. Eliot Family Reunion 18 You
seem to be wanting to give us all the hump. I must say, this isn't
cheerful for Amy's birthday.  

Aloha ~~~ Ozzie Maland ~~~ San Diego