ham2

 
Pronunciation: /ham/

noun

  • 1 [usually as modifier] an excessively theatrical actor: ham actors
  • [mass noun] excessively theatrical acting.
  • 2 (also radio ham) informal an amateur radio operator.

verb (hams, hamming, hammed)

[no object] informal
  • overact: she hammed it up for the cameras

Origin:

late 19th century (originally US): perhaps from the first syllable of amateur; compare with the US slang term hamfatter 'inexpert performer'. ham2 (sense 2 of the noun) dates from the early 20th century