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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1825-1840

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BANFF, BAMFF, n. (See first quot.) [bɑmf]Sc. 1825 Jam.²:
Banff. This good town, for what reason I cannot divine, seems to have been viewed rather in a contemptible light. Hence a variety of proverbs have originated. . . . All these suggest the idea of useless travel, or idle labour.Sc. 1840 C. Sinclair Sk. and Stories of Scot., etc. (n.d.) 332:
Bamff is proverbially alluded to by the Scotch as Coventry is in England. If one of the common people be angry at [sic] another, he exclaims in a tone of bitterness: "Go to Bamff!"Lth. 1825 Jam.²:
Gang to Banff, and bind bickers.w.Sc. 1825 Jam.²:
Gae to Banff, and buy bend-leather.

["Humff hamf quod the laird of Bamf" occurs in Fergusson's Sc. Proverbs (1598), but Bamf here may be Bamff in Perthshire or a mere rhyming word. Other Sc. towns or villages have been singled out for similar notice — e.g. Cupar and Freuchie in Fif. and Borgue in Kcb.]