- slam (n.1)
- "a severe blow," 1670s, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian slamre, Swedish slemma "to slam, bang") of imitative origin. Slam-bang recorded by 1806. Slam-dunk is from 1976. Slam-dance is attested by 1987 (slam by itself in this sense is recorded from 1983).
- slam (n.2)
- "a winning of all tricks in a card game," 1620s, used especially in whist, of obscure origin. Grand slam in bridge first recorded 1892; earlier in related card games from 1814; figurative sense of "complete success" is attested from 1920; in baseball sense from 1935.
- slam (v.)
- "to shut with force," 1726, from slam (n.1). Meaning "say uncomplimentary things about" is from 1916. Related: Slammed; slamming.