1567. Harman, Caveat (1814), p. 65. Grannam, corne.
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Club’s Rept., 1874). Granmer, corne.
1671. R. Head, English Rogue, pt. I., ch. v., p. 49 (1874). Grannam, corn.
1706. E. Coles, Eng. Dict., Grannam, c. corn.
1737. Bacchus and Venus. ‘The Strowling Mort.’ Grannam ever filled my sack.
Grannam’s-gold. subs. (old).—Wealth inherited. [Grannam = grandmother: cf., Beaumont and Fletcher, Lover’s Progress, iv., 1. ‘Ghosts never walk till after midnight, if I may believe my grannam.’]
Granny, subs. (nautical).—1. A bad knot with the second tie across; as opposed to a reef knot in which the end and outer part are in line. Also Granny’s Knot or Granny’s Bend.
2. (common).—Conceit of superior knowledge.
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, i., 404. To take the granny off them as has white hands.
Verb (thieves’).—To know; to recognise. Also to swindle.