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.
†DUMSCUM, n. A variety of hop-scotch “a game of children, much the same as pallall, or the beds” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); the third last square, divided into two compartments called dum and scum.Ags. c.1850 A. Reid Regality of Kirriemuir (1909) 400:
The pal-lal was thrown into each division, and then moved back towards the stance by the toe of the player, who hopped on one leg. She was not allowed to put down both feet except at “Dum, scum,” where she had to straddle across the line.
