Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1871-1955
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GREMMAR, n. ne.Sc. form of Eng. grammar. Sometimes with extended meaning = one's P's and Q's. Hence phr. to gae through one's gremmar. fig., to commit an indiscretion in speech, to speak tactlessly. Deriv. gremmairian, grammarian (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.).Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxvi.:
Noo, min' yer nae to gae throu' yer gremmar gin' Sir Seemon speer onything aboot the Free Kirk at ye.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 31:
I leernt to coont, an' vreet, an' read, Gat map an' gremmar dreel.Abd.27 1955:
I'll need tae min ma gremmar fin the minister comes till's tay.
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"Gremmar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gremmar>
