A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Blaflum, n. Also: bleaflumme, bleflume, blephum. [Of obscure origin; surviving in later dialect as blawflum, blaflum, blafum.] A deception; an illusion or hoax; humbug.1596 Dalr. II. 96/22.
The Jnglismen, … intendeng our dammage, bot hindirte of thair purpos at that tyme, … return with a blaflum 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1671), 114.
That comfort that is gotten at Dagon's feet is a cheat or blea-flumme Ib. (1675) 9.
Many … when they go to take out their faith, they take out a fair nothing, (or as ye use to speak) a bleflume 1640 Baillie Lett. I. 254.
All his act was bot a blephum
