Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PORT THE HELM, n.comb. Sc. usage: A boys' game (see quot.) played by a chain of runners, or skaters (Fif. 1912).Nai., Bnff. 1898 A. B. Gomme Trad. Games II. 64:
Port the helm. Any number may join in it. The players join hands and stand in line. The leader, generally a bigger boy, begins to bend round, at first slowly, then with more speed, drawing the whole line after him. The circular motion is communicated to the whole line, and unless the boys at the end farthest from the leader run very quickly, the momentum throws them off their feet with a dash if they do not drop their hold.
