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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWAAM, n.1 Also swamm (Jak.). .A hollow, a sunk part of a field (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). [swɑ:m]Sh. 1899 Shetland News (7 Oct.):
“Whaur da watter set up in voar — ” “O dere i' da swaam?”

[Orig. somewhat uncertain. Cf. n.Eng. dial. swang, id., and Eng. swamp, prob. from the same ultim. orig., sc. a piece of ground like a sponge, a bog, Du. swaam. Ger. schwamm, a sponge. See note to Swamp. Jak.'s derivation from O.N. hvammr, a hollow, is open to serious phonological difficulties.]

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