gammon

[gam-uh n]Backgammon.

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noun

the game of backgammon.

a victory in which the winner throws off all his or her pieces before the opponent throws off any.

verb (used with object)

to win a gammon over.

Origin of gammon

1720–30; perhaps special use of Middle English gamen game¹

gammon

[gam-uh n]

noun

a smoked or cured ham.

the lower end of a side of bacon.

Origin of gammon

1480–90; < Old French gambon ham (French jambon), derivative of gambe; see jamb¹

gammon

[gam-uh n]British Informal.

noun

deceitful nonsense; bosh.

verb (used without object)

to talk gammon.

to make pretense.

verb (used with object)

to humbug.

Origin of gammon

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of gammon¹

Related formsgam·mon·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for gammon

pancetta, pork, groin, femur, rasher, sowbelly, gammon, ham, flank, hock, loins, fool, dupe, fleece, rook, deceive, frame, gull, hoodwink, con

Examples from the Web for gammon

Historical Examples of gammon

During the sticky flow of her words, he knew she was trying to gammon him.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus
"That's all very pretty, but it 's all gammon in my opinion," responded Henry.
The Old Folks' Party
Edward Bellamy
It's no use, dame Peake; they won't be gammon'd, take notice.
The English Spy
Bernard Blackmantle
With a rowley, powley, gammon and spinach;Heigho, says Anthony Rowley.
Aunt Kitty's Stories
Various
I did not like that, still my nerves were firm, for I knew it was all gammon.
The Humbugs of the World
P. T. Barnum

British Dictionary definitions for gammon

gammon

noun

a cured or smoked ham

the hindquarter of a side of bacon, cooked either whole or cut into large rashers

Word Origin for gammon

C15: from Old Northern French gambon, from gambe leg; see gambrel

gammon

noun

a double victory in backgammon in which one player throws off all his pieces before his opponent throws any

archaic the game of backgammon

verb

(tr) to score a gammon over

Word Origin for gammon

C18: probably special use of Middle English gamen game 1

gammon

noun

deceitful nonsense; humbug

verb

to deceive (a person)

Derived Formsgammoner, noun

Word Origin for gammon

C18: perhaps special use of gammon ²

gammon

⁴

verb

(tr) nautical to fix (a bowsprit) to the stemhead of a vessel

Word Origin for gammon

C18: perhaps related to gammon 1, with reference to the tying up of a ham

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gammon

early 15c., "ham or haunch of a swine," from Old North French gambon "ham" (French jambon), from gambe "leg," from Late Latin gamba "leg of an animal" (see gambol (n.)).