Where did the slang term "gams" originate?

Question

Gams, as in legs.

It just sounds funny and I was just wondering how that word came to be used....

Answer 1

http://www.word-detective.com/2009/04/24/gams/

Answer 2

“Gams, slang for a woman’s legs, especially if regarded as attractive. “Gam” in this sense probably reminds most people of the “noir” crime novels and films of the 1930s and 40s and the hardboiled patois of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and James M. Cain (”The gams! The gams! Your face ain’t news!”, Mildred Pierce, 1941). But “gam” in this sense is actually considerably older than Sam Spade, dating back to at least the late 18th century. And “gam,” which began as underworld slang, originally referred to the leg of either sex, and not necessarily an attractive one."



I always think of the movie star Betty Grable, when I hear this word. She was said to have the most beautiful "gams" in the world, and many a serviceman, during WW2, had a photo of her pinned up over his bunk. In fact, that's the origin of another word, "pin-up girl"

Answer 3

" And “gam,” which began as underworld slang, originally referred to the leg of either sex, and not necessarily an attractive one.



There are two theories about the origin of “gam” meaning “leg.” The shorter and more straightforward one simply traces it to the Italian word “gamba,” also meaning “leg.” "



http://www.word-detective.com/2009/04/24/gams/

Answer 4

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Though some believe that the term buck for an American dollar originated from the use of silver dollars for bucks `markers used in poker,' others believe that the term buck `dollar' originated due to the fact that buckskins were used in trade, as a form of money, in early America. The term buck was then transferred to currency. If that is the case, then the buck used in poker got its name from the buck `dollar' used as a marker in the game. Unfortunately, no one knows the true answer with certainty.

Answer 5

Like all slang from the 1800's, I'm sure it's something horrible that involves torture.

Answer 6

American trappers started it-skins were their money for trading. thence a buckskin for a table cloth. 2 buckskins for that.... and so on now our money is dollars but we still call them bucks.