ABIGAIL: I have once or twice played the shovelboard. From Wordnik.com. [The Crucible]
And a new smooth shovelboard, whereon no victuals ne'er stood. From Wordnik.com. [English Songs and Ballads] Reference
One night in 1686, Christine Trask, a neighbor, stormed into the tavern and threw the shovelboard pieces into the fire. From Wordnik.com. [History of American Women] Reference
Sits next to her: No, no, but I hear only that you go to the tavern every night, and play shovelboard with the Deputy Governor, and they give you cider. From Wordnik.com. [The Crucible]
She disregarded the laws governing tavern hours, and stayed open late into the night, allowing her customers, some only in their teens, to drink and play the forbidden game of shovelboard, carousing loudly enough to disturb the neighbors' sleep. From Wordnik.com. [History of American Women] Reference
Then we had chess for those who played it, whist, cribbage, books, backgammon, and shovelboard. From Wordnik.com. [American Notes] Reference
Henry Cabot Lodge says the shovelboard of Shakespeare's time was almost the only game not expressly prohibited. From Wordnik.com. [Customs and Fashions in Old New England] Reference
The shilling of Edward the Sixth acquired this popular name from being so large and flat, that it was found convenient for use in the game of shovelboard. From Wordnik.com. [It Might Have Been The Story of the Gunpowder Plot] Reference
And then she told that she was born in a farmhouse like that on the hill, and would like to know if they roasted groats and played at shovelboard there still; and ended by showing them her little silver tankard, which her godfather the jolly miller had given her, and out of which her elder sister, who had never taken kindly to tea, had drunk her ale and her aniseed water. From Wordnik.com. [Girlhood and Womanhood The Story of some Fortunes and Misfortunes] Reference
He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always at his work. From Wordnik.com. [The Crucible]
There was a good supply of ne’er-do-wells in Salem, who dallied at the shovelboard in Bridget Bishop’s tavern. From Wordnik.com. [The Crucible]
A young Levite -- such was the phrase then in use -- might be had for his board, a small garret, and ten pounds a year, and might not only perform his own professional functions, might not only be the most patient of butts and of listeners, might not only be always ready in fine weather for bowls, and in rainy weather for shovelboard, but might also save the expense of a gardener, or of a groom. From Wordnik.com. [The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1] Reference
Then, we had chess for those who played it, whist, cribbage, books, backgammon, and shovelboard. From Wordnik.com. [American Notes] Reference
The ordinary recreations which we have in winter, and in most solitary times busy our minds with, are cards, tables and dice, shovelboard, chess-play, the philosopher's game, small trunks, shuttlecock, billiards, music, masks, singing, dancing, Yule-games, frolics, jests, riddles, catches, purposes, questions and commands. From Wordnik.com. [Anatomy of Melancholy] Reference
"The ordinary recreations which we have in winter are cards, tables and dice, shovelboard, chess-play, the philosopher's game, small trunks, billiards, music, masks, singing, dancing, ule games, catches, purposes, questions; merry tales of errant knights, kings, queens, lovers, lords, ladies, giants, dwarfs, thieves, fairies, goblins, friars, witches, and the rest.". From Wordnik.com. [Christmas: Its Origin and Associations Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries] Reference
LearnThatWord and the Open Dictionary of English are programs by LearnThat Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Questions? Feedback? We want to hear from you!
Email us
or click here for instant support.
Copyright © 2005 and after - LearnThat Foundation. Patents pending.