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: 1737-1884
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SHAVIE, n. [′ʃe:vi]
1. A trick, practical joke, prank, an imposition or swindle (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 178, 1825 Jam.), esp. in phr. to play one a shavie, to play a trick on, to cheat or disappoint (Id.).Abd. 1737 W. Meston Poet. Wks. (1802) 108:
And so to fortune I must leave ye. I wish she play not you a shavie.Ayr. 1785 Burns Jolly Beggars Recit. vii. 2:
But hurchin Cupid shot a shaft That play'd a dame a shavie.Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 143:
Kirk an' state are sisters twin, To work the land a shavie.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 97:
Sorrow tak' her "bishop sleeve," It played her sic a shavie.
2. An uproar, hullabaloo.Nai. 1828 W. Gordon Poems 218:
But ere lang she made a shavie Kicking up a waefu spree.Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 135:
The crowd [of fowls] kick up an awfu' shavie.
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"Shavie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/shavie>
