Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BENJAMIN, n. A variant form of Bagenin(g), q.v. See also Bengie, n.2Fif. 1831 Fife Herald (8 Sept.):
Benjamin.—A frolic known by this title is customary with the people who are employed at harvest work. The individual is swung by the extremities, and, like a battering-ram, repeatedly made to recoil from the shock.
[The word has been altered to conform to the prop. name. The ultimate orig. is uncertain, one conjecture being given under Bejan, v. Another possibility might be to view the word as a corruption of badgerin, to bait like a badger.]
