Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1778-1837
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†CLINKUM, Clinkam, Clinkem, n. Also clinkim (Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 53). A bellman, a town-crier; also as comb. clinkumbell (Ayr. 1786 Burns Holy Fair xxvi.). The bellman's duties often included those of grave-digger as well (see last quot.).wm.Sc. 1835–37 Laird of Logan II. 270:
Clinkum [the bellman] boldly replied, "no' sir . . . but your folk wi' wee tongues that gang like a miller's clapper are aye crackit."Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 40:
I'se gar clinkem Bell misure the grave and mak it.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 140:
But nae sooner they say Amen, But clinkam aft without, again, Cries, oyes, Sirs, gie ear to me, I warn ye there's a roup to be.Dmf. 1817 W. Caesar Poems 117:
The flower o' Tinwald ta'en away, And happit up amang the clay Wi' clinkum's han'.
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"Clinkum n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/clinkum>
