Mactaggart’s Gallovidian Encyclopædia says: A game described by Scotch writers by the name of Shintie; the shins, or under parts of the legs, are in danger during the game of being struck, hence the name from shin.—Dickinson, Cumberland Glossary, mentions Shinny as a boyish game, also called Scabskew, catty; it is also the name of the crook-ended stick used in the game. Patterson, Antrim and Down Glossary, under name Shinney, says, This game is played with shinneys, i.e., hooked sticks, and a ball or small block of wood called the “Golley,” or “Nag.”
In London this game is called [Hockey]. It seems to be the same which is designed [Not] in Gloucestershire; the name being borrowed from the ball, which is made of a knotty piece of wood.—Grose’s Glossary.
It has been said that Shinty and [Hockey] differ in this respect, that in the latter two goals are erected, each being formed by a piece of stick with both ends stuck in the ground. The players divide into two parties; to each of these the care of one of the goals belongs. The game consists in endeavouring to drive the ball through the goal of the opposite party.—Book of Sports (1810), pp. 11-13. But in Shinty there are also two goals, called hails; the object of each party being to drive the ball beyond their own hail, but there is no hole through which it must be driven. The ball, or knot of wood, is called Shintie.
See “[Bandy],” “[Camp],” “[Chinnup],” “[Crab-sowl],” “[Doddart],” “[Hockey],” “[Scrush].”
Ship
A boy’s game. It is played in two ways—(1) Of a single character. One boy bends down against a wall (sometimes another stands pillow for his head), then an opponent jumps on his back, crying “Ships” simply, or “Ships a-sailing, coming on.” If he slips off, he has to bend as the other; but if not, he can remain as long as he pleases, provided he does not laugh or speak. If he forgets to cry “Ships,” he has to bend down. (2) Sometimes sides are chosen; then the whole side go down heads and tails, and all the boys on the other side have to jump on their backs. The game in each case is much the same. The “naming” was formerly “Ships and sailors coming on.”—Easther’s Almondbury Glossary. Mr. H. Hardy sends an account from Earls Heaton, which is practically the same as these.
Ship Sail
A game usually played with marbles. One boy puts his hand into his trousers pocket and takes out as many marbles as he feels inclined; he closes his fingers over them, and holds out his hand with the palm down to the opposite player, saying, “Ship sail, sail fast. How many men on board?” A guess is made by his opponent; if less he has to give as many marbles as will make up the true number; if more, as many as he said over. But should the guess be correct he takes them, and then in his turn says, “Ship sail,” &c.—Cornwall (Folk-lore Journal, v. 59).
See “[Handy Dandy],” “[Neivvie-nick-nack].”