(Also 4 somere(s) gamen.)
† 1. A festival held at Midsummer, celebrated with dancing, games, dramatic performances, etc.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 4681. Daunces, karols, somour games, Of many swych come many shames.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xvi. 12. Þai haf vmgifen me in þe crosse hyngand, as foles þat gedirs til a somere gamen.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 246. A wilde pleiere of someres gamenes.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 404/1. Pley, or somyr game, spectaculum.
1469. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 103, note. Accessit cum Thoma Barker … et Margareta More, in regem et reginam ipsius villæ in ludo suo æstivali, Anglice Somer-game, forte electis.
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 166. Whether carding,… stage plaies, and summer games … be exercises commanded of God for the sabaoth day or no.
a. 1629. Hinde, J. Bruen, xxxiii. (1641), 104. Profane exercises of May-games, and Summer-games [mispr. greenes].
† b. attrib. Summer-game light: a light burnt in church on the feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist (Midsummer Day, June 24). Obs.
[1438. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 103, note. Lumini Æstival in eadem ecclesia v s.] Ibid. (1464). Lumini vocato Somer-game light. Ibid. (1519), 103. To the Somer-game lyght in my parishe chirche ij s.
2. U.S. slang. (See quot.)
1890. Barrère & Leland, Slang Dict. (1897), Summer game (American gamblers), playing merely for amusement or benefit of another person, but with his money.
