Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DRUMMER, n. In a spinning top, the sixth groove counting upwards from the point, into which a thong of the lash was fitted (Abd. c.1900). The names of the grooves ran according to the following rhyme: “Laird, Lord, Lily, Leaf, Piper, Drummer, Hangman, Thief.”
