Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1814-1825
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†BROGH AND HAMMELL, —HAMMER, Broch an' haimil, Brough and hamble, Brugh and Hammer, n.phr. [′brɔxən-′hɑməl, — ′hɑmər]
1. Proof, evidence; proof of legal possession; legal security.Sh. 1814 J. Shirreff Gen. View Agric. Sh. Islands, App. 8:
If they cannot give you a satisfying account thereof, and brough and hamble, you are to inform against them.Abd. 1825 Jam.2:
In Aberd[een] it is pronounced Brogh and Hammell, and understood as signifying good or sufficient proof.Lth. 1825 Jam.2:
"Ye maun bring brogh and hammer for't," i.e. you must bring proof for it.Lnk. 1825 Jam.2:
When one, in a market, purchases any goods, which, from the price or from other circumstances, he suspects have been stolen, he asks the seller to gie him brugh and hammer o' them; i.e. to give him satisfactory evidence that he came honestly by them.
2. In phr. to tack broch an' haimil, "to take into one's consideration, and to listen to the opinion of others" (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218).
[Brogh for O.Sc. borch(t), borgh, (1) a person standing as surety for another, (2) something given or offered as a pledge (D.O.S.T.); Mid.Eng. borgh, early borh, O.E. borh, borg, see Borrow, n.1 For hammer, hammell, etc., see Hamald, belonging to home, domestic, for which cf. O.N. heimolt, heimull, heimill, idem.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Brogh And Hammell n. phr.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/brogh_and_hammell>
