Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡GINKUM, n. Also ginkim. [′gɪŋkəm]

1. A trick, dodge (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 62; Abd. 1954), an odd notion.Bch. 1903 Banffshire Jnl. (29 Sept.) 3:
“Ye haiverin, fule”, exclaimed the farmer, “what ginkim's this ye're aifter noo?”Abd. 1923 R. L. Cassie Heid or Hert ii.:
It seems 'at naething is worth a thocht bit their ain newfanglet ginkums.

2. A habit, trait, mannerism (Abd.⁴ 1928). In pl. also = fits of moodiness and irritableness (Bch. 1954).Mry. 1887 A. G. Wilken Peter Laing 42:
[The fox] had a ginkum o' jumpin' on a branch o' a tree owerhingin' a precipiece.Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd xi.:
I hae gotten in tae the ginkum o' late o' ca'in her by her maiden name.Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Sc. Sangs 33:
Their ginkums mayna be aye wrang, But Scots folk canna reese.