Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880
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HAMSY, adj. Also hamsae, hamsie.
1. Slovenly in dress and appearance (Ork. 1929 Marw., hamsy). Of things: coarse, clumsy (Ork.5 1956, e.g. “a hamsy thread”).
2. (1) Of weather: blustery, unsettled (Ib.).
(2) Of persons: wild, erratic, irritable (Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 152, hamsie, Ork.2 1956).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 5:
He was a hamsae, hirrum-skirrum chield.
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"Hamsy adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hamsy>
