We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡GOSHENS, n.pl. Abundance, plenty (Abd., Peb. 1955), gen. used of fish (Abd.27 c.1920); “used by Kincardineshire fishermen, often referring to a good catch” (Abd.21 c.1930). [′goʃənz]Sc. 1890 Chambers's Jnl. (14 June) 369:
The tiny dormice gathering their winter hoards from the Goshens of nuts below.

[From the Biblical land of plenty allotted to the Israelites in Egypt. In use in Eng. up to 18th c. = a place of plenty.]

13266

snd