gammon

¹

[gam-uhn]

noun

1. the game of backgammon.

2. a victory in which the winner throws off all their pieces before the opponent throws off any.

verb (used with object)

1. to win a gammon over.

gammon

²

[gam-uhn]

noun

1. a smoked or cured ham.

2. the lower end of a side of bacon.

gammon

³

[gam-uhn]

noun

1. deceitful nonsense; bosh.

verb (used without object)

1. to talk gammon.

2. to make pretense.

verb (used with object)

1. to humbug.

gammon

¹

/ ˈɡæmən /

noun

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

2. archaic,  the game of backgammon

verb

1. (tr) to score a gammon over

gammon

²

/ ˈɡæmən /

noun

1. a cured or smoked ham

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

gammon

³

/ ˈɡæmən /

noun

1. deceitful nonsense; humbug

verb

1. to deceive (a person)

gammon

⁴

/ ˈɡæmən /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• gammoner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gammon¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of Middle English gamen game ¹

Origin of gammon²

First recorded in 1480–90; from Old French gambon “ham” ( French jambon ), derivative of gambe; jamb ¹

Origin of gammon³

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of gammon ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gammon¹

C18: probably special use of Middle English gamen _game ¹

Origin of gammon²

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

Origin of gammon³

C18: perhaps special use of _gammon ²

Origin of gammon⁴

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

Example Sentences

Pulled pork has also substituted an oven-ready gammon joint.

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"Gammon is fantastic. I cooked the whole thing in the air fryer, quite a big piece of gammon for 10 people, and it was absolutely delicious," she said.

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Couples who fail to convince are given a bit of gammon as a consolation prize and must walk through the town behind an empty chair.

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It said that alternative roasting joints had proven especially popular, with beef rib and gammon joints featuring as a centrepiece on more tables.

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“Just because it's traditional to have turkey doesn't mean we have to. If you’re not bothered by it, get a cheaper cut of meat like a chicken or a gammon joint,” he says.

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Related Words

• pancetta 
• pork