If the etymology "steelyard"-"stillard"-"shillard" is correct, as seems plausible, why are they invariably called a "pair?" Although one could say it is because of the two hooks, "yard" seems to refer to the beam itself, of which, on most examples I have seen pictured, there is only one. Perhaps we should look at old roots sounding like "shill." There seem to me to be at least three meanings associated with this root: the common one, meaning a false bidder in a negotiation, a second one meaning the opposite of "shall" (as in "shill he-shall he") and one from which the root of "shilling" is derived. Significantly, this last is said by the Free Dictionary online to have likely originated with the old Scandinavian term, "skilling," meaning "marks on a stick." This suggests that the word, like "scales," probably derives from a term referring to the interval marks on a balance beam, and the shilling, like the pound, was originally defined by its weight. While this supports the idea that "shillard" refers to a stillyard, it still does not explain the use of the word "pair" to describe it. Any suggestions on that?
Marty Pickands
>>> [log in to unmask] 08/17/05 10:27 AM >>>
I'd agree with Jim Parker that the "pair of shillards" probably refers to a
"stillyard," which was a balance scale principally used for weighing
agricultural products. "Stillyard" is itself a corruption of "steelyard." A
couple specimens in iron and brass are illustrated at the following links.
Try searching on stillyard scale and steelyard for numerous other hits.
http://www.scales-and-weights.com/scales/html/steelyards/romschnell.htm
http://www.scales-and-weights.com/scales/html/steelyards/minibrass.htm
Grant Q
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Sent by: Subject: mystery object: "Pair of Shillards"
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
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08/16/2005 06:08
PM MST
Please respond to
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
Recently while doing some research, I came across the
mention of a "pair of shillards" in an estate
inventory. After much searching, I've had no luck
determining what a shillard was.
A Google search for "pair of shillards" returns
several hits of them in estate inventories--but
nothing with clues about use, context, etc, so I know
it is not a spelling error or transcription error. A
perusal of many books of 18th century tools, kitchen
wares, and furniture proved unsuccessful as well. Even
the trusty Oxford English Dictionary has no mention of
them.
Any ideas, references, clues, etc would be greatly
appreciated.
And if anyone can solve that one, how about another
one...."Pethy auger"
-Grant
===============
Grant Quertermous
Staff Archaeologist
Ash Lawn-Highland
1000 James Monroe Parkway
Charlottesville VA 22902
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