Variant of ham
noun
Origin: < hamfatter, an actor of low grade, said to be so named from former use of ham fat to remove makeup
Slang an amateur or incompetent performer, esp. an actor who performs with showy exaggerationOrigin: ME hamme < OE hamm, akin to Ger dial. hamme < IE base *konemo-, shin bone (> Gr knēmē): hamsenses & infl. by am(ateur)