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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.

SHON, n. Also shun, shün, sjon (Jak.). A small loch or piece of water, a pool (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., Sh. 1970). Freq. in place-names. Phr. a shun of water, “a temporary pool of water, a pit with water in it” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., shun). [ʃʌn; Cai. ʃɔn]Sh. 1957 Sh. Folk-Bk. III. 70:
Deyre mony a hulter greff and shon Ta clim, ta spang, ta sweem.

[Jak. derives from Norw. dial. tjørn, tjønn, kjønn, kjenn, a pool, small lake, puddle, O.N. tjorn, a tarn, inland lake, which is poss. though there are some phonological difficulties. There may have been some influence from Norw. dial. sjo, sjø, sea, fresh water lake, O.N. sjór.]

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