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.
Quotation dates: 1824-1929
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RAMMOCK, n.1 Also ram(m)ack. [′rɑmək]
1. A big rough piece of wood, a gnarled and knotty stick (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 139); a worthless object (Bnff. 1967). Comb. ramackadodgil, anything large of its kind (Gregor). Cf. Dodgel.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 211:
He wodget a ramack o' a stick owr's hehd.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 30:
An' when the flames began to fa', "We've saved the hoose," quo' he, "There wadna been a rammack left."Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 103:
The posts are a lot o' aul' rotten rammacks.
2. Fig. of human beings: a big, coarse person, esp. one of a stubborn disposition (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff 139); a large raw-boned worthless animal (Bnff. 1967).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 25:
Even yon auld rammock is a livin' man.Abd. 1886 Bon-Accord (4 Sept.) 14:
The nasty ill-bred glutton rammacks.Bnff. 1904 E.D.D.:
It's a nasty useless rammack.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 29:
"Fat the deil," says he, "maks ye try te feed roch rammacks like that?"
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"Rammock n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rammock_n1>
