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.
RAMMISH, adj., adv., v. Also rammis, raamis, raames; and reduced forms ramsh; ra(a)mse, rampse; and deriv. forms ramsie, ramshle.
I. adj. Of persons or animals: headstrong, impetuous, rash, uncontrolled, wanton (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1967); furious, crazed with rage or hunger (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.); of children: boisterous, romping (Ork. 1967, ramsie); rough, coarse in manner.Ork. 1715 H. Marwick Merchant Lairds (1936) I. 57:
I am informed your atenders is two bonie for sucth ane ramse youth as you.Mry. 1757 Session Papers, Cramond v. Allan (10 Jan.) 9:
He appeared to be a ramsh, forward, hasty Lad.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
A woman of unusual strength, or masculine in her manners, is called a ramsh queyn.s.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
He's gane rammish, he is in a violent rage; implying some degree of derangement.Gsw. 1872 J. Young Lochlomond Side 36:
An' sune we see a ramschoch tyke Turrin' the cape stanes o' the dyke.Abd. 1883 W. Jolly J. Duncan 488:
Robbie [Burns] was terrible ramsh whiles.Abd.16 1925:
“He's a ramshle brute” (spoken of a horse) awkward, clumsy, blundering, or other than docile and tractable.
II. adv. Vigorously, furiously (Ork. 1967).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
The barm's workan ramse.
III. v. To rush about in a frenzied state, impelled by strong excitement or instinct. Ppl.adj. raamis'd, raamesed, ramest, crazed, rash, headstrong (Kcd. 1808 Jam.).n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Thus one is said to rammis about like a cat, in allusion to a female cat seeking the male. One is also said to be rammissing with hunger.Ork. 1880 W. Dennison Sketch-Bk. 101:
Na, Robo, trath th'u'll t'are me toy; — Th'u're sic' a ramest bit o' boy.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 56:
She made twa o' his kye rin wud and rammish to deid.
