- as a place-name term, wham typically occurs in the south of Scotland, and denotes a little glen, or a broad hollow among hills through which a stream runs. The word has no connection with English wham, but derives from Old Norse hvammr, 'short valley, hollow'. The Caledonian Mercury (1773) discussed
The Growth of Young Planting, growing on that Brae called the Sandy Wham... on the North Esk.