Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1778-1779, 1891-1958
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SHAP, v., n.2 I. and nn.Sc. (and †Bwk.) variants of Chap, v.1, Chap, n.3 Cf. also Chapping Stick. See S, letter. 6.
I. v. To beat, knock, strike; to mash (potatoes) (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh., Ork., Cai., Rs. 1970). Hence shapper, shappin-stick, ‡-tree, a potato masher, any thick stick used for this purpose (Ib.).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 22:
An “saalts” at med me tak a staen An shap at dee, my tinnie.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 221:
Föls soodna hae shappin' sticks.Sh. 1931 Shetland Times (14 March) 7:
Didna Lowrie shap apo' da door o' Klate?Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 48. 13:
Why does dy midder aye lave da shappin'-tree anunder dis cushion?
II. n. A blow, knock, stroke (Sh. 1970).Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) I. 257:
Te horse had up his muckle fit For to gie me a shap.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 43:
Apo da shap o' five o'clock.
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"Shap v., n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/shap_v_n2>
