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: 1919-1955
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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.]
