Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1888-1899
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TAMMAS, prop.n. Also Thammas; Thamas (Abd. 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes i.); and dim. or pet forms Tam (Ayr. 1790 Burns Tam o' Shanter 13; Edb. 1870 J. Lauder Warblings 59; Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona ii.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 5; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Gen.Sc.), Tammie, Tammy (Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch viii.; Gen.Sc.); Tomshie (Cai. 1902 J. Horne Canny Countryside 83), Tin(n)ie (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 98). Sc. forms of Thomas (Fif. 1863 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin i.; w.Sc. 1865 R. Buchanan Inverburn 11; Ags. 1888 Barrie Auld Licht Idylls iii.; Kcb. 1897 T. Murray Poems 128; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson, Rxb. 1942 Zai; Ags. 1975). The patronymic is Tamson (Dmf. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 22; Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 98; ne.Sc., Ags., Per. 1975). See P.L.D. §54. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. Thomas. See Tam prop.n. and Tammie prop. n. Now obsol. as a proper name. [′tɑməs]
1. A fool, a simpleton (Cai. 1934). Cf. Eng. dial. Tommy, id.
2. The puffin, Fratercula arctica (Nai. 1850 Zoologist VIII. 2908). See also Tammie and Combs.
3. The star-fish, Ophiura nigra, the sand-star (Abd. 1930 Fishery Board Gl.).
†4. In comb. T(h)ammas mass, St. Thomas's Day, the 21st of December, on which Shetlanders formerly abstained from both work and amusement.Sh. 1888 Edmondston & Saxby Home of a Naturalist 136:
For the breaking o' Thammasmass nicht, Five nichts afore Yule.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 197:
This is Tammasmass E'en, and the day following is Tammasmass Day, in which no manner of work can be done.
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"Tammas prop. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Apr 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tammas>
