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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1824, 1898-1908

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SHAB, v. 1. To get rid of (a person), get (one) out of the way, to remove, evict, eject (Kcb.4 1900).Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 347:
They shab'd puir Thomas aff to hell.

2. To slink away, go away unobtrusively or furtively. Also in Eng. dial.Kcb. 1898 A. J. Armstrong Levellers 207:
When Billy struck his first note the moon got "white i' the gills an' shabbed awa doon the lift."Kcb. 1908 Gallovidian No. 37. 20:
Come doon the strath when yonder sun Shabs in his glory to the nicht.

[Etym. uncertain. Obs. in Eng. except dial. since 1700 and poss. of cant orig. Some meanings suggest connection with Eng. dial. shab, a scab, fig. a low fellow, a sneak. ?Cf. however also Ger. schaben, to push away, get rid of, thrust out.]

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