Short Shrift?

Ever wondered where the phase “short shrift” came from? I hadn’t thought about it at all but now realise it is a punishment for not dying a “good death” and being properly “shriven”

Shriven is also connected with Shrove Tuesday, the last day before the fast of Lent begins. After you have been shriven you have confessed your sins and received absolution, so for a Catholic this is a very good start to Lent.

The word originates from – Middle English schriven, from Old English scrfan, from Latin scrbere, to write; seeskrbh- in Indo-European roots and is most commonly used in connection with  hearing the confession of – and giving absolution to – a penitent before they expire.

If you had not died well – dying well being preferably death in battle for a righteous cause, or death through religious fasting – then the priest would give you only short shrift – and spent less time with you – simples!