shavie

[ shey-vee ]

noun

, Scots

1. a trick or prank.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shavie¹

First recorded in 1760–70; shave + -ie; used mostly in Scottish poetry

Example Sentences

Haud to the Muse, my dainty Davie: The warl’ may play you monie a shavie; But for the Muse she’ll never leave ye, Tho’ e’er so puir, Na, even tho’ limpin’ wi’ the spavie Frae door to door.

From Project Gutenberg

I play’d my fillie sic a shavie, She’s a’ bedevil’d with the spavie.

From Project Gutenberg

They play’d me sik a deevil o’ a shavie that I daur say if my harigals were turn’d out, ye wad see twa nicks i’ the heart o’ me like the mark o’ a kail-whittle in a castock.

From Project Gutenberg

Haud to the Muse, my dainty Davie: The warl' may play you monie a shavie, ill turn But for the Muse, she'll never leave ye, Tho' e'er sae puir; so poor Na, even tho' limpin wi' the spavie spavin Frae door to door!

From Project Gutenberg

Haud to the Muse, my daintie Davie: The warl' may play you mony a shavie; But for the Muse, she'll never leave ye, Tho' e'er sae puir, Na, even tho' limpin wi' the spavie Frae door tae door.

From Project Gutenberg