Talk:gormy

Supposed alt forms of the "clumsy" sense (some may not be attested): gaumy, gorry (Maine), gomey (UK), goamy (UK). - -sche (discuss) 20:11, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

One reference suggests that the "clumsy" adjective derives from a noun "clumsy person", which it derives simply from the generic Germanic word for "man" which provides the second element of bridegroom. I wouldn't believe this without further evidence. Another possible source is gorm (“gape”). - -sche (discuss) 21:34, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I can find this sense mentioned (I haven't found it in actual use yet):

• L. B. R. Briggs, A Few New England Words, in Dialect Notes, volume 1 (1896), page 210:

  gormy or gormin' round (gɔm-). Said of a horse that "gawks" in stable or harness.

A note explains that words like this one which are not marked as specific to another place are specific to Plymouth, Massachusetts. This word is related to gorm (“gawk, gape”). - -sche (discuss) 21:27, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I also find this, which is explains one Lori Copeland citation that applies gormy to the sea/weather:

• Rushworth M. Kidder, In the Backyards of Our Lives: And Other Essays (1992), page 26: "Gormy" came to characterize bad weather.

- -sche (discuss) 21:36, 2 February 2015 (UTC)