Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SLAMMACH, v., n. Also sla(w)mach, slammack, -ock; slammag (Cai.). [′slɑməx]
I. v. 1. intr. To slaver, slobber (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); fig. to kiss in a sloppy sentimental way, to “spoon”.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 333:
Nae ay slamaching and kissing.
2. To take food furtively, to sneak tit-bits from the table; “to lay hold of anything by means not entirely fair or honourable” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).Abd. 1904 E.D.D.:
‘Lassie, ye've been slammachin'?' ‘Na, as sure's death; I never put a speen in amon't.'
‡II. n. 1. A hasty mouthful of food. a snatch or gobble of food, esp. of a mushy consistency (Kcd. 1825 Jam.); a piece or portion, esp. of food, seized by force or taken on the sly (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also in reduced form slam (Jam.); a handful of something soft and flabby (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., Cai. 1970).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 48:
Whyles a slammack o' our mornin' piece.
¶2. A sizeable amount, a “slab”.Kcd. 1934 L. G. Gibbon Grey Granite 33:
You take well with a slammock of work.
