Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1819, 1913
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BEFLUM, v. and n. [bə′flʌm]
1. v. “To befool by cajoling language” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2).Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxv.:
An I had been the Lord High Commissioner to the Estates o' Parliament, they couldna hae beflumm'd me mair — and — I could hardly hae beflumm'd them better neither.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. of Christ iii. xxxviii. 146:
The Gibeonites, . . . bot lippenin owre eithlie till bonnie wirds, war beflum't wi' sham santliness.
2. n. “Idle, nonsensical or cajoling talk” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2).
[Prob. a variant of Blaflum, Blaeflum. See also Flumgummery.]
