smeddum

/ ˈsmɛdəm /

noun

1. any fine powder
2. spirit or mettle; vigour

Word History and Origins

Origin of smeddum¹

Old English smedema fine flour

Example Sentences

But with a little smeddum, or spirit, Scots could be saved – and celebrated.

From The Guardian

No, thank ye, Mr Jones," replied the latter; "my dancin days are weel aboot owre now; but, though the flesh is weak, the spirit's willin, and, to mak mysel as guid company as possible, I'll tak a screed o' the fiddle an ye like; for I'm mair souple aboot the elbows than the ankles now-a-days, and, besides, I dinna think that fallow puts the richt smeddum in his tunes.

From Project Gutenberg

As nervous hypochondriac, as would-be swaggerer, as a dullard requiring stimulus, he found that drink, to use his own language, gave him "smeddum."

From Project Gutenberg

He'll want smeddum and manly discipline; that's the stuff to make the soldier.

From Project Gutenberg

There's naethin' waur nor Sim MacTaggart oot there i' the gairden, wastin' his wund on a wumman that's owre muckle ta'en up i' the noo wi' the whillywhaes o' a French sneckdrawer that haesnae the smeddum to gi'e her a toozlin' at the 'oor she needs it maist.

From Project Gutenberg