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, 1897-1931
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PRAM, v. Also pramm (Jak.).
1. To press down, squeeze, compress (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 178), to exert pressure or force (Sh., Kcd. 1966). Also fig., as in 1897 quot.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (29 May):
I widna expeck 'at ye wid be ony wye prammed für room i' wir skule.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I could just pramm me doon, I could just barely get a seat on the bench.
2. To stuff (a receptacle) with something, to press (an object) into a small area (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh., Kcd. 1966), to overcrowd (a space).Ags. 1824 J. Bowick Characters 71:
And Tam would gang with a haversack, Weel prammed with guids upon his back.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (24 July):
Da crü is prammed wi' sheep an' folk.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I'm prammed me fu'.
3. Of a number of people: to throng or press in a body, to crowd (Sh., ‡Ork. 1966).Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 135:
A' at aince da gang pramed in withoot chappin.
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"Pram v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pram_v>
