Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡PAM, n. Also paam, palm, pawm-.

1. As in Eng., the knave of clubs, esp. in the game of Loo; dim. pawmie, pamphie, id. (Abd. 1825 Jam., pamphie, Sc. 1825 Jam.. pawmie).

2. The knave of any other suit. Also pawmie, id. (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 376; Sh. 1965).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (19 March):
Clappin' doon da palm o' diamonds.Sc. 1899 Montgomerie-Fleming 112:
Pawmie is the Scotch for the Knave in cards.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xxi.:
A . . . laid ma Paam, howpin for 'e best.