Shot, from the modern sense of the word to SHOOT,—a guess, a random conjecture; “to make a bad SHOT,” to expose one’s ignorance by making a wrong guess, or random answer, without knowing whether it is right or wrong.
Shot, from the once general, but now provincial word, to SHOOT, to subscribe, contribute in fair proportion;—a share, from the Anglo-Saxon word, SCEAT; “to pay one’s SHOT,” i.e., share of the reckoning, &c.
“Yet still while I have got
Enough to pay the SHOT
Of Boniface, both gruff and greedy O!”
Shot, “I wish I may be SHOT, if,” &c., a common form of mild swearing.
Shot, a term used among horse chaunters. To SHOT a horse, is to give him a lot of small shot, which will for a short time effectually “open his pipes,” and make him appear sound in wind.
Shot in the locker, money in pocket, resource of any kind in store.—Navy.
Shoulder, when a servant embezzles his master’s money, he is said to SHOULDER his employer.
Shout, to pay for drink round. “It’s my SHOUT,” says he who pays. Possibly because the payer originally SHOUTED to the bar-keeper of an hotel to score the drink to him.—Australian, but now general.
Shove-halfpenny, a gambling pot-house pastime, played on a table. A very old game, originally called push-penny.
Shove in the mouth, a glass of spirits, which is taken off quickly and at once.