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.
FOREHAIMMER, n., v. Also hammer; -hemmer (Kcd. 1900 W. Macgillivray Glengoyne I. ii.).
I. n. The heavy hammer with which the smith strikes first, the sledge-hammer. Gen.Sc. Also in n.Eng. dial.Sc. 1736 Caled. Mercury (13 Sept.):
A body of them advancing to the tolbooth, called for the keeper; and, finding he was gone, fell a breaking the door with fore-hammers.Ayr. 1786 Burns Scotch Drink xi.:
The brawnie, banie, ploughman-chiel, Brings hard owrehip, wi' sturdy wheel, The strong forehammer.Sc. 1816 Scott B. Dwarf ix.:
“Pinches or forehammers will never pick upon't,” said Hugh the blacksmith.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
To throw the forehammer. to throw the sledge; a species of sport still used in the country as a trial of strength.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders xxxvii.:
From the other side . . . came the sound of a forehammer thundering on a gate.Abd. 1905 W. Watson Auld lang Syne 257:
There wis twa men wi' forehaimmers layin' to the pipes o' the organ wi' a' their micht.Ags.1 1927:
“I was fae the bellows to the fore-haimmer a' day” i.e. extremely busy.
II. v. To wield the forehammer, to be a smith's assistant. Rare.Mry. 1865 W. H. L. Tester Poems 76:
The one week starch'd behind my lady, The next, fore-hammerin in a smiddie.
