Hello,
There does not seem to many words in common English use that come from the
Celtic languages. This one seem to have a good case? although the Shorter
Oxford has:
shanty | anti | n.1 & v. E19. [Perh. f. Canad. Fr. chantier a
lumberjack's log cabin or logging camp.] A n. 1 a A temporary, poor, or
roughly built dwelling; a cabin, a hut. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. b A
lumberjack's log cabin; a logging camp. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. 2 A public
house, esp. an illicit or unlicensed one. Austral. & NZ. M19.
1a R. CAMPBELL One tin shanty of a so-called 'Hotel'.
Comb.: shanty Irish a. & n. (US, derog.) (a)adj. of or belonging to people
of Irish descent in poor circumstances; (b)n. shanty Irish people
collectively; shantyman (chiefly N. Amer.) a lumberjack; shanty town a poor
or depressed area of a city or town, consisting of shanties.
B v.i. 1 Live in a shanty or temporary log hut. Chiefly N. Amer. E19. 2
Drink frequently or habitually at a shanty or public house. Austral. L19.
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Inc.
I can't seem to find the old correspondence (probably ANSAX-l). From memory
it seemed to be a writer with strong Gaelic connections/heritage that used
the word "shanty" in his books, and for this reason only, I tended to think
that the word hung on in Canada/America immigrant Scottish community
(including Nova Scotia) and then returned to use in the English language.
Well this seems the most romantic etymology.
Cheers
Andy Horton.
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