Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FLEEM, n. Also fleam, fleum: †fluim (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); flim, floom (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 206–7). The form floam is also given by MacTaggart ibid. Phlegm, mucus (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh.11, Ork.1 1951, fleum; Ags.19, Bwk., Kcb., Dmf. 1951, fleem). [fli:m Ags., Kcb., Dmf.; fløm Sh., Ork.]Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 148:
Fleem. I was surprised to hear this word used in the sense of phlegm, spume, but my surprise ceased when it was found as far back as in Chaucer.Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 3:
She's joost dune wi' hosstin, an fair chokit wi' the clocher an' the floam.
