subs. phr. (old).—1.  A trinket, trifle, fal-lal. Hence (2) generic for rubbish, nonsense.

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  d. 1529.  SKELTON, The Tunnynge of Elynoure Rummynge.

        With a WHYM WHAM,
Knyt with a trym tram.

2

  1604.  MARSTON and WEBSTER, The Malcontent, i. 3. Sir Tristam Tristam come aloft, jacke-a-napes, with a WHIM-WHAM.

3

  1608.  The Cobler of Canterburie.

        Her kercher hung from vnder her cap,
With a taile like a flie flap.
And tyed it fast with a WHIM WHAM,
Knit vp againe with a trim tram.

4

  1614.  FLETCHER, The Night-Walker, or the Little Thief, i.

                            Nay not that way;
They’ll pull ye all to pieces for your WHIM-WHAMS,
Your garters and your gloves.

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  1619.  MASSINGER [?], The City Madam, iv. 3.

          Hold.  ’Tis more comely,
I wis, than their other WHIM-WHAMS.

6

  1630.  TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes.

        His Alkaron, his Moskyes are WHIM-WHAMS,
False bug-beare bables, fables all that dams.
    Ibid.
When with her flesh mans stomack she hath fed,
She giues him ease and comfort in his bed:
She yeelds no WHIM-WHAMS wauering on his crest,
But she relieves him with repose and rest.

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  3.  See WHIM, subs. 3.

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