Shepherdess Walk. A name reminiscent of the days when the entire district between Finsbury and “Merrie Islington” was open fields.
Shepherd’s Bush. Pleasantly pastoral as the name is, this district is now wholly built over. A “Shepherd’s bush” was a hillock covered with soft vegetation on which he reclined while tending his flocks.
Shepherd’s Market. The site of a former weekly market, the land of which, like that of Market Street and Shepherd Street, was owned by a person of this name.
Shepperton. A corruption of “Shepherd’s Town”; whether derived from the name of the landowner, or because the district was originally given up to sheep-folds, is not known.
Sherbet. The national beverage in Arabia, so called from shariba, to drink, because it is taken at a single draught; hence the same name applied to effervescing liquors in this country.
Sherry. An English corruption of “Sherris,” a dry wine exported from Xeres in Spain.
Sherry Cobbler. An American drink which, in addition to the ordinary ingredients of a “Cobbler,” contains a dash of sherry.
Shetland Isles. Anciently described as Hyaltland, the Norse for “Viking Land,” the name was softened into Zetland, and finally as we now have it.
She Wolf of France. A name that will ever cling to the memory of Isabella, the queen of Edward II., whom she caused to be murdered most foully through the instrumentality of her paramour, the Earl of Mortimer. This monster of iniquity lies buried in Christ Church, Newgate Street.
Shift. An old name for a chemise, denoting a shift or change of linen; also an industrial term for a change of men at certain hours, so that work can be carried on uninterruptedly by day and night.