A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Schuffle,) Shuffle, -ell, -ill, Shouffle, Schofell, S(c)hiffle, v. [e.m.E. shoffle (1532), shuffle (1565), LG schüffeln, also schuffeln, to walk clumsily, etc.]
1. intr. To move awkwardly; to scramble (to do something); to scuffle.16.. Herries Mem. 24.
Being refused entrie, his soldiers shuffling to be in [Edinburgh] and the toun's people to stop them [two men] were … killed 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 240.
Her … young pigs who all did shuffill by the ropes and sowkit thair owne dame
b. Of a land-slide: To move with slow impetus; to shift slowly (down).?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 253.
A pairt of a banke upon the steepe syde of ane hill … of its owne accorde had shuffled downewarde
2. To behave in a deceitful manner; to adopt a course of action different from that promised.1595 Highland P. I 169.
The said contract wes sent … to Ardkinglas … to subscryve the sam and … Ardkinglas schifflit and conveyit the contract out of Mr. John Archibald's hands promising to subscryve the sam … and keipit the said contract unsubscryvit be himself to the effect that [etc.]
3. tr. In fig. or allusive use of shuffle cards (e.m.E., 1570): To manipulate matters. Also absol.1641 Passionate Remonstrance by His Holiness Upon the Covenant of Scotland.
Fortune … hath dealt us a very bad game at this tour, but yet a little and the cards shall be shiffledabsol. 1637–8 Game at Cairds in Bk. Pasquils (1827) iii 87.
The counsell daill, The lawers shuffell and the clergie cut
4. a. To deprive (someone) of something by underhand methods; to cheat of. b. To extricate (someone) (from a difficulty) by exerting influence secretly.a. 1641 Baillie I 380.
This most false suspicion did so farr increase with some … that Loudoun had weell neer been shuffled of a commission to returne 1655 Annandale Corr. 302.
I doe request yow to keip thur letters, for I am affrayed George Blair will schofell yow of thus bussinis at this tymeb. 1663 Carstairs Lett. 100.
He heth twyce shuffled me verie unexpectedlie from a sentence of banishment
5. To shuffle over, to allow (a matter) to be considered perfunctorily or disregarded.1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 147.
Perceaveing how the Earle of Catteynes had indeavored to shouffle over and cullor the matter 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 231.
If I shall … put their causes to the questione or if I shall shuffell over incaice ye be to send any person over
6. To shuffle out, to remove, take away or out.1638 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 554.
It would make a sweet bartering … if I could shuffle out self, and substitute Christ … in place of myself
