clamjamphrie Sc. and north. dial.
(klæmˈdʒæmfrɪ)
Also 9 clanjamphry, -phrey, -fery, -frie, -fray.
[Origin and history uncertain: Scott's clanjamphry suggests a contemptuous reference to a Highland Clan, e.g. Clan Chattan, Clanranald, etc.; and jampher occurs in Sc. dialects, variously used as ‘scoffer, mocker, trifler, idler, shuffler’, so that clan-jamphery would give a passable sense. But it is more probable that the original idea is ‘trumpery’, and that the personal use is derived.]
1. Trumpery, rubbish, things of little value.
| 1825–79 Jamieson s.v., ‘Did you stop till the roup was done?’ ‘A was sell'd but the clamjamfry.’ |
2. Spoken ‘rubbish’; nonsensical talk, ‘rot’.
| 1825–79 in Jamieson from West of Fife. |
3. ‘Trumpery’ or worthless people, or those who are so viewed; rabble, mob, canaille; also ‘applied to the purse-proud vulgar’ (Jam.).
| 1816 Scott Bl. Dwarf ix, ‘And what will ye do, if I care 'na to..open the grate to sic a clanjamfrie?’ 1828 ― F.M. Perth xii, The devil is very powerful with all this clanjamfray. 1821 Galt Ann. Par. Dalmailing 292 (Jam.) A gang of play-actors..the first of that clanjamfrey who had ever been in the parish. 1861 Hughes Tom Brown Oxf. ix, I only know the whole clamjamfery of them were there. 1864 A. M{supc}Kay Hist. Kilmarnock 106 The land⁓loupers and other clamjamphrie, that attended the fairs. |
Hence clamˈjamphried ppl. a. (nonce-wd.) ? treated as clamjamphrie.
| 1887 Stevenson Underwoods ii. vii. 100 An' lea's us puir, forjaskit men Clamjamfried in the but and ben He ca's the earth. |