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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.

RAMSH, v., n. Also ransh, runsh. [rɑmʃ, ‡rɑnʃ]

I. v., tr. and intr. To munch or chew vigorously with much noise, to crunch with the teeth (Bnff., Abd., em.Sc.(a), w.Lth. 1967).Lth., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
To ransh or runsh at an apple, a turnip, etc. . . . includes the idea of the sound made by the teeth.
Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 52:
Some riv'd and ramsh'd at beefy rumps.
Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 23:
The bubbly-jock was killed, an' a fat clocken hen pluckit a twa three days afore — a' to be ramshed up fan we got oot forks an' gullies amon' them.
Fif. 1875 A. Burgess Poute 49:
It ramshes worms bi the hatfu'.
Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 81:
That man o' mine wud ramsh an' hamsh an' fling awa' mair than I cud save although I was a millionaire.
Fif. 1962:
She's ranshin like a coo.

II. n. A munch, a scrunch, a single act of masticating coarse or rank food, as raw vegetables (Per., Fif. 1825 Jam.).

[Imit. Cf. Hansh, Scranch, crunch. Phs. with some influence from Eng. dial. ranch, to tear, scratch.]

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