Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TAMSON, prop.n. Also Thamson. Sc. forms and usages of the surname Thomson. See P.L.D. § 54. [′tɑmsən] In phrs. in which Tamson stands for the ordinary representative man in the street: 1. Tamson's mare, = En. Shank's pony, walking on one's own feet; 2. Jock Tamson's bairns, common humanity. See Jock, n., 4. (35).1. Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xix.:
Tamson's mear would never be the thing for me this day of all days.
