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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SAME, n.¹ Also seam, saim, saem, seym, semm; saam, sawm (Cai.). [sem; Cai. sɑ:m] Fat, esp. of pigs, lard (Sc. 1755 S. Johnson Dict.; Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 171; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Sh., Ork., Cai. (saam), Bnff., Abd., em.Sc.(a), Bwk., wm. and s.Sc. 1969). Obs. exc. dial. in Eng. since 17th c.; also goose-fat (Uls. 1931 Northern Whig (5 Dec.) 13). Freq. in phr. swine's same, id. Adj. saamy in comb. saamy bannock, a bannock or oatcake baked with lard (Cai.⁹ 1939), sawmie-cutty, id. (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C.).Lth. 1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 60:
It will be better than Swine Seam, For any Wramp or Minzie.Sc. 1716 J. Moncrief Poor Man's Physician 120:
Bark of the Willow-tree, boyled with Swines-seam, melts Hardness of the Spleen.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xx.:
It hung twirling in a string by its legs before the fire, all buttered over with swine's seam, and half roasted.Ags. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin ix.:
The efficacy o' hartshorn an' swine's seam, as a cure for rheumatism.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 283:
And mony a soo, near smored wi' seym Their mucky styes adorn.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 161:
She has to hae mittens on her hauns after she has creeshed them weel with saim for the hacks.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (14 Jan.):
Baikin' bere burstin brünnies wi' rindid saem i' Yüle moarnin.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick ii.:
A gart 'e gweedwife sclairt on a lickie o' swine's semm upo ma beetikins wi' a rabbit's fit.