Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DAMISH, Dammish, Daimish, Demmish, v., n. [′dɑmɪʃ, ′demɪʃ]
1. v.
(1) To damage (Fif.10 1939; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., daimish); ppl.adj. daimish't, (a) damaged; (b) rotten, putrefying (Ib.).Sc. 1868 G. Webster Strathbrachan II. iv.:
Ye'll damish the door.Bnff.2 1946:
Leave that knock abeen an' dinna damish it.
Hence dammishment, damage, injury (Fif.10 1939).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 131:
My bottle-champion, be it kent, Nae dammishment shall dree.
(2) Used as an expletive.Ags.(D) 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 128:
Damish your skins, I cud thrash the whole pack o' ye.Per. 1900 E.D.D.:
Damish the hide o' ye!
2. n. Damage, injury.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 243:
But canna you tell me, kimmer, what was the corpse like? Was't a' fair, an' bonny, an' nae blueness nor demmish to be seen?
