Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
INSEAM, n., v. Also insaem (Sh.).
I. n. The seam which attaches the welt to the insole and upper of a boot or shoe (Sh., Cai., em.Sc., Kcb. 1958). Also used attrib. Rare in Eng.Per. c.1850 Harp Per. (Ford 1893) 235:
Bent owre a last, at an in-seam hard toiling.Ags. 1860 A. Whamond James Tacket 115:
I . . . sat down to the stiff in-seam of a pair of bluchers.Lnk. 1877 W. McHutchison Poems 229:
But, noo, as ill-sewed in-seams sever, We pairt, aul' shoon, fareweel for ever.ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 20:
Yet thou hast given us leather to yark, and leather to bark, oot-seam awls, and in-seam awls.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (20 Aug.):
Sibbie brook me bit o' insaem alishen da last day wirkin wi da wharles o' her wheel.m.Sc. 1986 William Montgomerie in Joy Hendry Chapman 46 9:
leather tae yark an leather tae bark
leather in o the hole an leather oot o the hole
inseam awls an ootseam awls
heel awls an peggin awls
II. v. To sew this seam (Cai. 1958).Abd. 1874 W. Scott Dowie Nicht 37:
To sole an inseem that sheen o' auld Willie Davidson's.
