Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHANNACK, n. Also -ache, -ie; shannoch (Per. 1899 Perthshire Advertiser (15 Nov.)); and freq. in dim. forms shanacle, shinicle. A bonfire, specif. one lighted on Halloween (Per. 1808 Jam., shannach, shinicle), now more gen. of any fire lit out of doors, for amusement, to burn garden refuse, etc. (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 270; Per., Fif. 1970, shannach, shanacle). See also Sownack. [′ʃɑnɪk(l)]Per. 1903 C. Johnson Land of Heather 79:
The young folks find pleasure in the dusk of the chilly evenings gathering the hedge cuttings and rubbish into piles and making great shanacles.Per. 1959 Daily Express (8 April):
A see yer haein' a guid gairden shannack.