hammy

comparative hammier · superlative hammiest

1. Resembling or characteristic of ham.

   Then again this is Mayfair. A big, rustling bowl of deep-fried squid with a salty chilli kick cost £7.50; a generous pile of jamon croquetas, the shells giving way to something creamy and intensely hammy within, was 50p less.

   2011 December 18, Jay Rayner, “Restaurant review: Aurelia”, in The Observer, →ISSN, archived from the original on 12 May 2026

2. figurativelyAmateurish; characterized by overacting.

   McDonald & Dodds is back, with episode one so deliberately hammy and meta that, technically, it should have been a complete horlicks. In one scene, when they were all hanging on to the balloon ropes, Mr Bean-like, to stop Jason Watkins flying away, it sort of was.

   2021 March 1, Carol Midgley, “McDonald & Dodds review – cheerful escapism and filth-free distraction”, in The Times, archived from the original on 24 Mar 2021

   1 more example

   Jack Crawford: I’m Special Agent Jack Crawford. I lead the Behavioral Science Unit. Will Graham: We’ve met. Jack Crawford: Yes, we had a disagreement about the museum when we opened it. Will Graham: I disagreed with what you named it. Jack Crawford: The Evil Minds Research Museum? Will Graham: It’s a little hammy, Jack.

   2013 April 4, Hannibal, season 1, episode 1

plural hammies · alternative hammie

1. AustraliaNew ZealandUSslanghobbiesThe hamstring.

   2004, J. L. Roberts, Braggin' Rights: Fantasy Football Rewind 2004 (2003 Season Recap), AuthorHouse USA, page 83, A slow start and hammy injury were major contributors.

   3 more examples

   He put his palms flat on the ground, then grabbed the back of his knees, stretching his hammies for the millionth time that morning.

   1999, Melissa Lucashenko, Hard Yards, University of Queensland Press, page 129

   “A move like this would have been inpossible for me before yoga,” he said. “Flexibilty-wise, I was struggling. My hammies were tight, my groin was tight. My hips have really benefited.”

   2003, John Capouya, Real Men Do Yoga: 21 Star Athletes Reveal Their Secrets for Strength, Flexibility and Peak Performance, page 150

   I've noticed that although cycling keeps me reasonably "cardio fit", I am losing general flexibility, e.g. when touching my toes. This is despite me stretching my quads, calves, and hammies during and after my training rides.

   2003 June 10, Andrew Swan, “Good complementary exercise to cycling?”, in aus.bicycle (Usenet)

2. AustraliaNew ZealandUSslanghobbiesA hamstring injury.

   A: I′m only just getting fully fit now after that hammy [hamstring tear].

   2000, Mark B. Andersen, Doing Sport Psychology, page 96

   1 more example

   Why he went back on after 3/4 time is beyond me. If he was trying to prove a point he has all season to do that not do your hammy in the first game.

   2009 March 26, Phil, “So Cousins does a hammy”, in aus.sport.aussie-rules (Usenet)

plural hammies · alternative hammie

1. childishinformalA hamster.

1. A diminutive of the male given name Hamilton.