Obs. Also lodam(e, loadam, loadem, load him. [Florio (1598 and 1611) identifies the game with one called in It. carica l’asino (load the ass), which suggests load ’em as the etymological spelling; but the reason for the name is not clear.] A game of cards; in one form, called losing loadum, the loser won the game.

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1591.  Florio, 2nd Fruites, 67. At primero, at trump … and at lodam.

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1599.  Hist. of Pope Joan, A j b. In which the gamesters like loadam playe and bring them forth last that are of most price.

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1601.  2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., Prol. 14. You that have beene deepe students at post and paire, saint and Loadam.

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1611.  Cotgr., Coquimbert qui gaigne pert. A game at cards, like our loosing Lodam.

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1650.  Bulwer, Anthropomet., 111. Which must needs be hindred by their practise, which with Rings and Jewels play at such loosing Loadem with their Lips.

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1652.  Urquhart, Jewel, Wks. (1834), 232. After the nature of Load-him, a game at cards where he that wins loseth.

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1695.  Congreve, Love for L., I. xi. To converse with Scandal, is to play at Losing Loadum; you must lose a good Name to him, before you can win it for yourself.

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1755.  Poor Robin, an Almanac, Dec. At loadum, cribbidge, and all fours.

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