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.
SHUFFLE, n., v.1 Also shiffel, shifle; shiv(i)l, shivvel. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. shovel (Per., Fif., Lth. 1915–26 Wilson; Rxb. 1942 Zai). Gen.Sc.; jocularly in 1961 quot., a spade at cards. Hence shivvelfu, shiffel-, a shovelful (Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xxvii.).
Comb. shovel-shop, a betting-shop which pays out the winnings after each race, sc. which “shovels” out the cash. [ʃʌfl, ne.Sc. + ʃɪfl]Ork. 1721 P. Ork. A. S. XI. 41:
2 Garden shifles on for dalveing and another for ditching.Ags. 1738 Private MS.:
A large Shuffle and Tongs.Lnk. 1858 G. Roy Generalship 52:
Shuffle out the cash — seven and seven are fourteen.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 101:
I never lift a shuffle o' coals but I think I see your face.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (17 Sept.):
He lint him apo' da shiv'l i' da owse room.Sh. 1930 Manson's Sh. Almanac 193:
Nanny dookit doon fir ta get anidder shivvel fu'.Gsw. 1958 C. Hanley Dancing in the Streets 181:
This isn't a shovel shop, by the way. Winnings are held until after the last result of the day. I don't approve of the shovel system, personally — don't know why they call it shovel. Maybe it's shuffle. The shovel shops pay out right away after each race.Cai. 1961 “Castlegreen” Tatties an' Herreen' 32:
An' id's me till leid? Weel,'ere's a shiffel, 'E Keeng — id's chist wan at A hev.Abd. 1969 Huntly Express (20 June) 2:
The tyangs, pokerie an' shuffle.
