Shavie
/ˈʃeɪvi/noun
A Scots word meaning a trick, prank, hoax, or piece of mischief.
Did you know?“Shavie” is strongly associated with Scots speech and literature, but its deeper origin is uncertain; it may be connected with the older verb “shave” in senses involving cheating or narrowly escaping.
Etymological Timeline
Origin uncertain
Scots
shavie
“A regional noun meaning a trick, prank, or deception; its ultimate derivation is not securely established.”
18th Century
Scots
shavie
“Used in Scots dialect for a prank or mischievous trick.”
19th Century
Scots
shavie
“Recorded in Scots glossaries and literary usage as a hoax, trick, or piece of mischief.”
19th–20th Century
English
shavie
“Borrowed or quoted in broader English writing as a Scots regionalism.”
Modern English
English
shavie
“A rare dialectal or literary word for a prank, trick, or deception.”