Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1887
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BAMF, n. and v.
1. n. (See quots.)Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
Bamf. A person with broad, flat, clumsy feet: one who goes about stumping and tossing his feet about.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 42:
Bamf. A fellow with broad feet.
2. v.
(1) To toss, tumble about.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 42:
Auld John M'Clellan, wha's now awa, Bafmd [sic], in the Solway Frith, many a storm with his shell-wherry, according to his queer account. He wont [sic] to be "bamfin aff the heads" wi' Collier Briggs whiles, and they under close reefed tapsails.
(2) To stamp or tramp about heavily or noisily. Dmf. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 63:
Whar's he gawn bamfin'?
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"Bamf n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bamf>
