Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 2005 (SND, online supplement).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BAMPOT, n. [prob. f. Eng. barmpot, a pot for storing yeast; fig. an idiot] Sc. form of Eng. bampot, a mad person. Also attrib. Gsw. 1962 Bill McGhee Cut and Run 37:
'Listen,' he was saying, 'are we gonny let they Soo' Side bampots think they can dae whit they like tae Calton fellas?'wm.Sc. 1984 Agnes Owens Gentlemen of the West 66:
"he's doin' a lot better than the other bampots anyway," Paddy declaredGsw. 1985 Michael Munro The Patter 9:
bampot or bamstick An idiot, fool, or sometimes a nutcase. This is often shortened to bam, and any eccentric named Thomas risks being dubbed 'Tam the Bam'.Gsw. 1986 Alex Cathcart The Comeback 105:
"I think your old mate Peter Ray is doin his Captain Marvel act on the skip."
"Fuck. He's a real bampot."m.Sc. 1990 A. L. Kennedy Night Geometry and the Garscadden Trains 64:
Equally, I might get five thousand for one syphilitic bampot whose only real achievement was a speedy and popular death.Dundee 1992 W. N. Herbert in Janice Galloway and Hamish Whyte New Writing Scotland 10: Pig Squealing 73:
'Ye're no supposed tae need trainin ye bampot,' hissed Airchie. Noo come on. Deck's stretchin it for us aaready.'Edb. 1994 Gordon Legge I Love Me (Who Do You Love?) 60:
The arrival of the Bampot boy, Stuart his name was, had meant the promotion of Graeme.Gsw. 2001 Big Issue 22-8 Feb 16:
I realised that it's not just idiots and bampots selling The Big Issue.
