Jabberwocky   46 #1 Posted June 28, 2008 Today, lucky me, Im going to spend a few hours cleaning the house up. In other words, housework.  I was sitting on the settee earlier, looking around the living room at the wreckage my brats were creating, and I said to the Other half, `Im gonna get stuck in today, those toys have to go, they`re all over the bloody shant.`  I remembered my mother calling the house a "Shant" when I was a kid for the same reasons I just did, because it was a mess and needed tidying, and I asked the OH if they use the word here in Leicestershire.  She told me that she`d never heared of the word before she met me and often wondered what I meant when I used it, and I... I couldnt explain.  Its one of those words you use daily but dont know the meaning or origins of, so I thought Id ask the good and insane people of Sheffield Forum.  So, Poppets. Do YOU use the word "Shant"? Do you know anyone who does? Do you know the meaning of it? Is it a word that was once used regularly and is now falling by the wayside as so many words and phrases seem to be doing these days?   Diccuss!  Or I`ll eat yer oilcloth! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
*Wallace* Â Â 333 #2 Posted June 28, 2008 I always thought it was something to do with shanty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Dozy   11 #3 Posted June 28, 2008 Why dont' you ask LordC - he's appears to be into language today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ShinyPurple   10 #4 Posted June 28, 2008 Today, lucky me, Im going to spend a few hours cleaning the house up. In other words, housework.  Just make sure you turn the sofa cushions over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
cressida   1,568 #5 Posted June 28, 2008 perhaps 'shant' was the answer parents received when they asked their children to tidy away, 'no I shan't' - and along the line some wag has decided to call it a 'shant' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
flamingjimmy   10 #6 Posted June 28, 2008 Internet searchings have revealed several meanings: unemployed irish people, unfair (Edinburgh slang, apparently), beer/drinking, but not messy house. I've certainly never even heard the word. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Aries22 Â Â 10 #7 Posted June 28, 2008 I would guess it comes from the name, Shanty Towns, meaning a messy house. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jabberwocky   46 #8 Posted June 28, 2008 Just make sure you turn the sofa cushions over  SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!   Oh god... I forgot about that.  Im gonna have to get her out of the room for half an hour. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Kristian   11 #9 Posted June 28, 2008 I use the word shant frequently, it's a particularly favourite term of mine.  I'm off out for a shant. (I'm going out to imbibe) Pass me that shant. (Would you mind passing me that glass of gin) Jeez, I was really shanted last night. (I'm a little worse for wear this morning)  Good innit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jabberwocky   46 #10 Posted June 28, 2008 I use the word shant frequently, it's a particularly favourite term of mine.  I'm off out for a shant. (I'm going out to imbibe) Pass me that shant. (Would you mind passing me that glass of gin) Jeez, I was really shanted last night. (I'm a little worse for wear this morning)  Good innit?  It also means drink?  I didnt know that one... I wonder if thats part of the meaning of the original ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
boonies-gaff   10 #11 Posted June 28, 2008 Its a verb meaning to fill ones trousers with excreta. From the old English phrase I've sxxt my pants. 'ooh look Debbie didn't make it to the toilet, she's shant' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Kristian   11 #12 Posted June 28, 2008 It also means drink? I didnt know that one... I wonder if thats part of the meaning of the original ...  It does indeed.  This has some info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...