sha'n't
See also: shan't
English
Etymology
Contraction of shall + -n't (“contraction of not”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈʃɑːnt/
- Rhymes: -ɑːnt
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈʃænt/
- Rhymes: -ænt
Contraction
sha'n't
- Dated spelling of shan't.
- 1697, [John Vanbrugh], The Provok'd Wife: A Comedy, as It is Acted at the New Theatre, in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields, London: Printed by J. O. for R. Wellington, at the Lute in St. Paul's Church Yard, and Sam. Briscoe in Covent-Garden, →OCLC, Act III, page 33:
- Bel[linda] […] Nay you ſha'n't go one ſtep out of the room. / […] Lady B[rute] Pray give me leave. / Lady Fanc[yfull] You know I won't. / Lady B. Indeed I muſt. / Lady Fanc. Indeed you ſha'n't. / Lady B. Indeed I will. / Lady Fanc. Indeed you ſha'n't. / Lady B. Indeed I will. / Lady Fanc. Indeed you ſha'n't. Indeed Indeed Indeed you ſha'n't. (Exit Lady Fanc. running. They follow.
- 1922, Rex [Ellingwood] Beach, “chapter XXIV”, in Flowing Gold, New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, by arrangement with Harper & Brothers, →OCLC, page 290:
- That's not a threat, sir, for they have played fair with me, and I sha'n't sacrifice a penny of their money—unless they force me to do so. But—I'm in control. I'm sitting pretty. They can't unseat me, and I warn them not to try.
Further reading
- Michael Quinion (May 26, 2001) “Sha’n’t versus shan’t”, in World Wide Words.