Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BELLUMS, n. A boys' game.Abd. [1851] W. Anderson Rhymes (1867) 79:
When wearied wi' ramblin, we finished the splore, Wi' a game at the “Bellums” or “Buffet the Boar.”Abd.²² 1870:
A game called Hunty unity staigie. This, I think, is Bellums. Two rows of boys faced each other, singing Hunty unity staigie, Bellum-a, Bellum-a naigie, and a boy running down between the rows was struck at with handkerchiefs, caps, etc. It would be the same as “Buffet the Boar.”