subs. (old).—1. (in pl.) Trousers: also HAM-CASES. For synonyms, see KICKS.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v. HAMS, Breeches.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1791. R. GOADBY, The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew. HAMS, breeches.
1859. G. W. MATSELL, Vocabulum; or, The Rogue’s Lexicon, s.v. HAMS. Pants.
2. (American).—A LOAFER (q.v.). Also HAM-FATTER. [The American Slang Dictionary says ‘A tenth-rate actor or variety performer.]
1888. Missouri Republican, 27 March. Connelly … is a good fighter, but will allow the veriest HAM to whip him, if there is any money to be made by it.
1888. New York Herald, 29 July. The … more prosperous professional brother of the HAMFATTER.
NO HAM AND ALL HOMINY, phr. (American).—Of indifferent quality; ‘no great shakes’; ‘all work and no play’; ‘much cry and little wool.’
