Gammon

Pronunciation

• enPR: gă'mÉ™n, IPA: /ˈɡæmÉ™n/, alternatively IPA: /ˈɡɑmÉ™n/
• Rhymes: -æmÉ™n

From Old French gambon (compare modern French jambon ("ham")), from gambe, from Late Latin *gamba.

Full definition of gammon

Noun

1. The lower or hind part of a side of bacon.

Verb

1. To cure bacon by salting.

Probably a special use of Middle English gamen ("game").

Noun

1. (backgammon) A victory in backgammon achieved when the opponent has not taken a single stone; (also, rarely, backgammon, the game itself).

Related terms

• backgammon

Verb

1. (backgammon) To beat by a gammon (without the opponent taking a stone).

Perhaps related to the first etymology, with reference to tying up a ham.

Noun

1. (nautical) A rope fastening a bowsprit to the stem of a ship (usually called a gammoning).

Verb

1. To lash with ropes (on a ship).

Perhaps a special use of the word from etymology 2.

Noun

1. (dated) Chatter, ridiculous nonsense.
• 1911: Ambrose Bierce, He swore that all other religions were gammon,
  And wore out his knees in the worship of Mammon.

Verb

1. (colloquial, dated) To deceive, to lie plausibly.
• 1959, Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax Chapter 1, And no use for anyone to tell Charles that this was because the Family was in mourning for Mr Granville Darracott …: Charles might only have been second footman at Darracott Place for a couple of months when that disaster occurred, but no one could gammon him into thinking that my lord cared a spangle for his heir.