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.
†GAMMON, n. Also gamon, gammond, -t, gaument; gamo (Ork.).
1. Of a person: the leg, thigh.Edb. a.1730 A. Pennecuik Coll. Sc. Poems (1787) 40:
But you threw up your gammonds in the bed, Before the grace, and lost your maiden-head.Edb. 1772 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 69:
War I to ride to bonny Tweed, Wha ne'er laid gamon o'er a steed Beyont Lusterrick.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 12:
Wi' back to side they push . . . While gauments far are shot in To keep their place.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings 10:
And never may our Fair, to rakes Throw out a gammon.Bnff. 1853 Bnffsh. Jnl. (3 May):
Geordie wi' the crookit gamon, Bowie wame, and gruffie paw.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 133:
He fand . . . a thra' i' his right gamo.
2. Of an animal: the foot; “often those of pigs, sometimes called petit-toes” (Rxb. 1825 Jam., gammon(t)s). Gen. in pl.
[O.Northern Fr. gambon, ham (Mod.Fr. jambon), from pop. Lat. gamba, hock, older Fr. gambe, leg or shank, Mod.Fr. jambe.]
