Slam
early 17th century: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare with Old Norse slam(b)ra .
wiktionary
From Middle English *slammen(not recorded), apparently from a Scandinavian source ultimately from Old Norse slæma, slœma(“to slam, swing a weapon, strike an object out of reach”), related to Old Norse slamra, slambra(“to slam”). Cognate with Norwegian Bokmål slamre(“to slam”), Swedish slamra(“to pound, beat, make a clatter, rattle”), Norwegian Nynorsk slamra(“to sway, dangle”).
Origin unknown.
Compare Dutch slomp, German Schlampe.
etymonline
slam (n.1)
1670s, "a severe blow," probably from a Scandinavian source (compare Norwegian slamre, Swedish slemma "to slam, bang") of imitative origin. Meaning "a violent closing of a door" is from 1817. Meaning "an insult, put-down" is from 1884. Slam-bang recorded by 1806 (also slap-bang, 1785). Slam-dunk is from 1976; early use often in reference to Julius Erving. 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," 1660s, earlier the name of a card game (also called ruff), 1620s, used especially in whist, of obscure origin. Grand slam in bridge is recorded by 1892; earlier in related card games by 1800; figurative sense of "complete success" is attested by 1920; the baseball sense of "home run with the bases loaded" is by 1935, probably a natural extension from the card game sense, with suggestion of slam (n.1). It also was the name of a brand of golf clubs in the 1920s and '30s.
slam (v.)
1690s, "to beat, slap;" 1775 as "to shut with force," from slam (n.1). Meaning "throw or push with force" is from 1870. Meaning "say uncomplimentary things about" is from 1916. Related: Slammed; slamming.
