Sc. [Cf. STRUNT sb.2] A fit of ill-humor; esp. in phr. to take the strum or strums.
1788. Macaulay, Poems, 185 (E.D.D.). The petty lads hae ta’en the strum, Because we winna let them come.
1818. Miss Ferrier, Marriage, xxxv. Ye’re … ay ready to tak the strums, an’ ye dinna get a’ thing yere ain wye.
Hence strum v. intr., ‘to be in a pettish humour’ (Jam.).
1804. Tarras, Poems, 132 (Jam.). Sinkin wi’ care we aften fag, Strummin’ about a gill we’re lag, Syne drowsy hum. Ibid., Gloss., Strumming, glooming, looking sour.
