Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLOCK, HAMMER, AND NAIL, phr. “A game amongst children” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 13). Also known to Bnff.⁴ 1928 and Abd.⁹ 1935. A full description of this game is to be found in A. B. Gomme Dict. Brit. Folk-Lore (1894) I. 41. See also Haimmer.Sc. 1898 E.D.D.:
Block, hammer, and nail, a boys' game requiring seven players, three of whom represent the above-named articles, the remaining four being employed to swing the hammer against the block.