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

gammon

²

/ ˈɡæmən /

verb

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

gammon

³

/ 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

⁴

/ ˈɡæmən /

noun

1. deceitful nonsense; humbug

verb

1. to deceive (a person)

Derived Forms

• ˈgammoner, noun

Other Words From

• gammon·er 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

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

Origin of gammon²

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

Origin of gammon³

C18: probably special use of Middle English gamen game ¹

Origin of gammon⁴

C18: perhaps special use of gammon ²

Example Sentences

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

“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.

From BBC

Until recently, Laira Green Primary School in Plymouth served local Cornish beef for its roast dinners every Thursday, but has now switched to gammon as a cheaper alternative.

From BBC

He complained of being labelled a "red gammon head" and a "ruddy-faced buffoon".

From BBC