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.
SHOT, n.2 Also shott. An inferior animal, now gen. of sheep, left over from a herd or flock after the best have been selected, a reject from a cull, e.g. “by a purchaser when he buys with the right of selection” (Per. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 154). Gen.Sc. Dim. shottie.Cai. 1743 J. E. Donaldson Cai. in 18th Cent. (1938) 146:
To go for the Dornoch fair with the tails or shots of my drove.Sc. 1767 Session Papers, Petition J. Hamilton (1 July) Proof 19:
The Shots, which were sixteen or seventeen in Number, that had been casten by Cumming.Slg. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XVIII. 279:
They are not always at due pains to pick the best out of the flock; whereas, if they were to exclude all the shots, it would ultimately be for their interest.Per. 1845 Edb. Ev. Courant (29 Nov.):
The “shots” of former markets.Rxb. 1914 Kelso Chronicle (11 Dec.) 4:
Bad feet are often the cause of shotts both among ewes and lambs.Sc. 1938 F. F. Darling Wild Country 32:
The “shotts” or poorest lambs were sold consistently years ago to the crofters of the north-west coast for a few shillings apiece.Abd. 1952 Huntly Express (26 Nov.):
In a flock of lambs the “shotties” are a sort of the fourth-rate, undersized and poorest quality.
