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: 1743-1845, 1914-1952
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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.
