Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RAM, v. Also ramm; erron. ¶ramn. Sc. usages:
1. To push or thrust, to shove, to clear a way for oneself by pushing and thrusting (Ork., Ags., Ayr., Kcb., Uls. 1967).Lnk. 1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups 216:
I . . . rammed the folk oot o' my road wi' my umbrella.Per. 1904 E.D.D.:
Whaur are ye rammin 'till?
2. To punish (an offender) by bumping his posteriors against a wall; to punish by bastinadoing the soles of the feet.Bnff. 1853 Banffshire Jnl. (11 Jan.):
Bastinading, or as we call it, “ramming” an offender on the sole of the foot with the back of an axe.Sc. 1854 H. Miller Schools ix.:
The cry rose wild and high, “A ramming! a ramming!” The little fellow was seized and thrown down; and five men — one holding his head, and one stationed at each arm and leg — proceeded to execute on his body the stern behests of barrack-law.w.Sc. 1880 Jam.:
To ram. To use a person as a battering ram. A rude kind of punishment known to schoolboys in the West of Scotland, and common among masons.Abd.15 1930:
He wis ta'en an' rammed, dam'd an' dirden on for lattin oot the pooder aboot the horsemen meeting.
3. As in Eng.: to stuff or cram with food or drink. Hence ram-full, crammed full. Gen.(exc. s.)Sc. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 231:
If ramn'd we red, they rant and rair Like mirthfu' Men.
4. Deriv. rammer, an instrument for mashing turnips.Abd. 1776 Abd. Journal (15 April):
Turnip Rammers for Cattle.
