1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Hams, Breeches.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1791. Bampfylde-Moore Carew, Life. Hams—breeches. [[253]]
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Hams. Pants.
2. (American).—A loafer (q.v.). Also Ham-fatter. [The American Slang Dict. says ‘A tenth-rate actor or variety performer.’]
1888. Missouri Republican, 27 Mar. Connelly … is a good fighter, but will allow the veriest ham to whip him, if there is any money to be made by it.
1888. New York Herald, 29 July. The … more prosperous professional brother of the hamfatter.
No ham and all hominy, phr. (American).—Of indifferent quality; ‘no great shakes’; ‘all work and no play’; ‘much cry and little wool.’
Hamlet, subs. (old and American). See quots.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. Hamlet … a High Constable.