Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HELM, n. Sc. fig. uses of Eng. ‡helm, helmet.
1. A crowd, a noisy gathering (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.).Slg. 1919 T.S.D.C. III. 17:
A crowd generally noisy e.g. a helm o' tinkers, o' barkin' dogs, o' bees).Abd. 1944 C. Gavin Mt. of Light iii. ii.:
They're lyin' in a bonny grave wi' a helm o' ither decent folk.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xv.:
You an' me an' 'e mullert an' a helm o' idder folk.
†2. Phr. helm o' weet, a rainstorm, heavy shower (Ags. 1808 Jam.). Hence helmy, in phr. helmy weather, rainy weather (Ib.).
[The meaning appears to develop from the notion of helm, as a covering, canopy, something that overhangs and spreads itself everywhere. Cf. the orig. and meanings of Hemmel.]
