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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LAME, n., adj. Also laim; laem (Sh.), †leam, lem(m), leem. See also Lime, adj. [lem; Ork. lim. See P.L.D. § 164.1.]

I. n. 1. Earthenware, china; a dish, crockery, dishes (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; I. and n.Sc. 1960). Comb. lame-rack, a dish-rack (Sh. 1960).Sc. 1708 Edb. Gazette (13–18 May):
Nenian Anderson being to give over Shop keeping, will sell of his War at a chape Rate, Viz. Lame, Glass, Fruits, Spice, Briss, Baskets, Cradles; and other Grossery War.Ork. 1770 P. Fea MS. Diary (19 June):
Had 100 Leam with me. Sent a boat for roofs and Leems.Ork. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Sh. 334:
At the wedding-feast a sort of loving-cup was handed round called “the bride's cog,” or “leem”.Sh. 1892 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 25:
Wis kind o rackliss wi da laem, Bit couldna brak a tinnie.Ork. 1930 Orcadian (13 Feb.):
Crockery ware was always called leam or leams in my young days.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 18:
A man wi' a dyshcloot at seemed ta be swillin trow some lem ahint da coonter.Cai. 1992 James Miller A Fine White Stoor 63:
And her lower lip curves so smooth-like to her chin. I feel as if I could squeeze it and shatter it in scow like a piece of thin laim.

2. A piece of broken crockery, a sherd, esp. one used as a plaything (Sh., Ork., n.Sc. 1960); in pl. smithereens.Abd. 1861 J. Davidson Poems 130:
I smash'd the naphtha pig to lems.Abd. 1920 C. Murray Country Places 3:
The mornin' afore he had scattered their lames, An' dung doon their hoosies an' a'.Abd. 1950 Buchan Observer (26 Dec.):
The quines that sang like linties as they played their merry games Wi' jumpin'-ropes an' wyin'-wechts or bonny coloured lames.

II. adj. (from the n. used attrib.). Made of earthenware, china (Sc. 1808 Jam.; I. and n.Sc. 1960). In 1704 quote, ? Poss. a misreading for Lane, adj., 1.: i.e. single, solitary, by itself.Sc. 1703 Acts Parl. Scot. XI. 111:
Lame Purslane and Earthen Ware.Arg. 1704 Sc. Antiquary I. 129:
A lame coin off three happnies.Sc. 1707 R. Sibbald Hist. Slg. (1892) 50:
Here is a Potterie, where Earthen Pots, and severall other Leam Vessels are made.Abd. 1735 Abd. Estate (S.C.) 23:
To 4 lame Basons 20d., to 4 lame Chamber Pots 3/8.Ork. 1774 P. Fea MS. Diary (14 Dec.):
Went for Sanday with all my Coals Deals, 2 bar[rel]s of Lyme and the leam ware.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 22:
Ashets seem to have been the first things of lame ware, alias porcelain, that have been made.Abd. 1902 E.D.D.:
A lame pig — an earthenware jar.