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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CRAMP, n.² Cf. Crampet. [krɑmp]

1. A spiked piece of iron fastened on to the shoes when curling to prevent slipping (Ags.¹⁷, Slg.³, Lnk.¹¹ 1940). Cf. Clamp, n.⁴Sc. 1882 Chambers's Jnl. (Dec.) 833:
You've ruled me lang enough, guidwife; Henpecked nae mair I'll be; I'll hae my will — my broom and cramps, And to the loch I'll gae.

†2. A skate.Slk. 1813 Hogg Queen's Wake 191:
The youth, on cramps of polished steel, Joined in the race, the curve, the wheel.

3. “The iron sheet laid down at the end of a curling rink to keep the player from slipping when throwing his stone” (Gall. 1898 E.D.D.). Also in pl. Known to Cai.⁷, Abd.⁹, Fif.¹⁰, Lnk.¹¹, Kcb.¹⁰ 1940. Kcb.¹⁰ has also seen wooden cramps.Rnf. 1833 J. Cairnie Curling 90:
Gibson let go his stone, James Riddel sprung upon the cramps, followed the wake of Gawin's stane . . . and knocked it to flinders.

4. An iron spike driven into a wall.Bnff.² 1941:
Ye'll need twa cramps in the wa' t' haud up the skelf.Abd.⁹ 1941:
The foreman jist dreeve a cramp intae the wa' tae hing the horse collar on't.