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.
BEJELAM, n. A boys' game. [′bɛdʒəlɪm]Edb.1 1934:
Bejelam as I knew it in West Lothian thirty years ago corresponded to what boys in Edinburgh call levoy. Sides were picked, equal in number, and, so far as that was possible, in energy; then the captains tossed as to which was to be the “hunting” side: the others ran off free, while, leaving two men to guard the “den,” the “hunters” went in pursuit of their quarry. Individually they were secured and put in the den. If, however, one of the hunted still uncaptured succeeded in breaking his way into the den, he could set free all the captives who eluded their gaolers. Ere a victim could be put in the den, moreover, the hunters had to pat him one-two-three on the bare head; he therefore held his hands tightly clasped on top of his head till they tugged the two hands apart.
