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: 1912
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SHABBY, adj.1 Sc. usage: unwell, in poor health (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai; Lth., Bwk., Rxb. 1970). Also in Nhb. dial.Bwk. 1912 J. Burleigh Ednam 148:
To the casual inquiry "How are you?" there sometimes comes the startling reply "I'm very shabby."
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"Shabby adj.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/shabby_adj1>
