or trangam, trankum, subs. (old).—A trifle, fallal, ornament; anything or anybody of little or no value. Cf. reduplication, TRINKUM-TRANKUM.
1677. WYCHERLEY, The Plain Dealer, iii. 1. But go, thou TRANGAME, and carry back those TRANGAMES, which thou hast stol’n or purloin’d.
1713. ARBUTHNOT, The History of John Bull, II. vi. What’s the meaning of all these TRANGRAMS and gimcracks?
1820. SCOTT, The Abbot, xix. ‘What, have you taken the chain and medal oft from my bonnet?’ ‘And meet time it was when yon … rogue … began to inquire what popish TRANGAM you were wearing.’ Ibid. (1824), St. Ronan’s Well, xviii. The shawl must be had for Clara, with the other TRANKUMS of muslin and lace.
