Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1809-1914
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SKEMP, n. Also scemp, scaimp and dim. skempie, -y. Sc. forms of Eng. scamp, a rogue, rascal, worthless character (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.; Cai., Ags., Fif., Lth., Lnk., s.Sc. 1970).Ayr. 1809 W. Craw Poet. Epistles 34:
Ye drunken skemp, that mocks the rich.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck i.:
There'll nae young skempy amang them wile her out o' her bed i' the night time.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xxii.:
Skemps that had not wherewithal to pay lawful debts.Cai. 1869 M. MacLennan Peasant Life 78:
Fetch the cairt back tae the square, men; the skemps daurna touch it agen.Ags. 1889 Arbroath Guide (16 Nov.) 3:
Let go my claes, ye imperent scaimp.wm.Sc. 1903 S. Macplowter Mrs McCraw 10:
Ye ill-deedit scemp, ye!Arg. 1914 J. M. Hay Gillespie iv. ii.:
A skemp in gold and brass buttons comes up and says, “Ticket, please.”
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"Skemp n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/skemp>
