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.
Quotation dates: 1740, 1897-1901
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GAMF, v., n., adj. Also gamph, gomf, ga(u)mp, gawmp.
†I. v. 1. To be foolishly merry (Lnk. 1825 Jam., gamf, gamph), to laugh loudly (Rnf. Ib.).Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 436:
At kirns and weddings kintra clowns, . . . Gamping o'er their namby pambies! . . . Calves as weel might rowt in rhyme.
2. “To mock, to mimic” (Ayr. 1825 Jam., ga(u)mp, gawmp).
II. n. 1. A buffoon, a fool, “an empty fellow who makes a great deal of noisy mirth” (Upp. Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1924 North. Whig (23 Jan.), gamf; Ags., Ayr. 1953); “a fool, or one who wishes to seem so” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 234, gomf). Cf. Gumph, n.1, 1.Abd. 1897 G. Macdonald Salted with Fire xxii.:
He may turn't intil a breid-kist, or what he likes, the gomf!
†2. “An idle meddling person” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 218, gamf).
†III. adj. Playful, sportive (Jam.2).Sc. 1740 Ramsay T.T.Misc. IV. 381:
She is sae jimp, sae gamp, sae gay, Sae capernoytie, and sae bonny.
