or gam, subs. (old).—A leg. In use also in this sense as an heraldic term. [It., gambe; Fr., jambe; probably through Lingua Franca.] For synonyms, see DRUMSTICKS and PINS.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, p. 143. If a man has bow legs, he has queer GAMS, GAMS being cant for legs.
1796. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v.
1819. T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, p. 61. Back to his home, with tottering GAMS.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon’s Good-Night. At you I merely lift my GAM.
[TO FLUTTER A GAM = to dance; TO LIFT A GAM = to break wind; TO GAM IT = to walk; to run away; TO LEG IT (q.v.)].
