A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1449, 1538-1547, 1603-1666
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Spad(e)-shaft, Spaid-schaft, n. Also: spead- and -schafft, -schaftt. [Spad(e n. and S(c)haft n.1] The shaft (S(c)haft n.1 1) or handle of a spade. Also proverb.1449 Ayr B. Ct. 12 Nov.
Twa spad schaftis 1538–9 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) I 251.
ii dosane spaid schaftis with the irnis 1547 Treasurer's Accounts IX 86.
For other thre spaid schafftis ij s. viij d. 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 87.
Gifing him ane straik with ane spaid schaft upoun the arme 1625 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 169. 1639 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 408.
Sex spad shaftis 1666 Boharm Kirk S. 24 June.
2 s. 4 d. given to Wm Shand for ane spead shaft to the kirkproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1845.
Ye wald gar men trow that spaid shafts bure honie plumes 1658 R. Moray Lett. 4 April.
I will yoke a parrocket to you when you come [that] hither shall make you beleave spade shafts bear honny plums
