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scad
DCHP-2 (Aug 2016)
Spelling variants:scat, skad
1n. — Newfoundland, rare
a minor snowstorm or a flurry of snow.
Type: 2. Preservation — Scad is a preservation from British English, where it is attested as far back as 1687 (OED-3, s.v. "scud" 2b), though perhaps with the slightly different meaning of 'driving rain or snow'. In Canada, the term seems to be most often used in the Maritimes, especially Newfoundland, and is attested by the Dictionary of Newfoundland English back to 1910 (DNE, s.v. "scad"). The term appears most frequently paired with the word "snow", as in "a skad of snow" (see the quotations), and is exclusive to Canada (see Chart 1).
A regional chart is not possible on account of only one hit for scad of snow in all 13 Canadian domain (6 Aug 2016, SD).
Quotations
1900
SNOW STORM. --The heaviest snow storm of the season prevailed last night and early this morning. However, it was only a "skad o' snow" compared with what we have experienced other winters.
1910
The evening was calm, and there was a light scad of snow falling.
1933
The heavy 'scats' of snow-crystals that now are occasionally sweeping over the Floe, so sting all faces in the gusts with the temperature rapidly falling, that ear-flaps are pulled down on every cap.
1955
Between two and three o'clock yesterday afternoon, the sun was shining brilliantly, when suddenly a scad of snow stormed across the face of the city. For several minutes the snow swirled violently and some householders reported they couldn't see across the street because of the snow.
The snow disappeared again as quickly as it had come.
The snow disappeared again as quickly as it had come.
2002
Legend has it that following the raucous annual celebrations of St. Patrick's Day, the job of cleaning up the mess falls to Sheila. Her brush, or broom, powered by more than a little resentment, is said to stir up such a vortex of dust and debris and swirling air that it turns into an angry storm -- often on March 18, but sometimes even later.
There's no trace of the legend in Ireland itself. But old-time Newfoundlanders, Mr. Halpert discovered, "always expected a scad of snow or a little storm after St. Patrick's Day" and began to fashion a myth to explain it.
2n. — obsolete
a thin layer of snow on the ground.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — Scad, referring to a thin layer of snow on the ground, is, similar to meaning 1, a preservation of British English origin, though this meaning underwent semantic change in Canada. In the new world, the term seems to be most often used in the Maritimes, especially Newfoundland, and is attested by the Dictionary of Newfoundland English back to 1897 (see DNE, s.v. "scad"). The earliest attestation in written language dates from 1884 (see the 1884 quotation).
Quotations
1884
The Attorney General has told you in his opening address not to be influenced by any remarks in the press; and yet these men have been charged in the public press with firing on this society from behind a snow-bank, and yet Judge Bennett tells you there was nothing but a scad of snow on the ground. It is quite clear from his evidence that Doyle desires to shelter the Orange procession.
1897
Skad of snow, a fall of a few inches covering the ground.
References
- DNE
- OED-3
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