sin n OED ~ 3 a (c1300-1470), still in colloq use, esp Sc; PARTRIDGE ~ . A cause for regret, 'a shame,' usu said in reproach for a cruel or thoughtless deed (P 148-61).
1905 DUNCAN 121 ' ' Tis a sin,' said he, 't' waste good hay like that.' [1960] 1965 PEACOCK (ed) iii, 780 "Downey's Our Member": And then in the spring, oh what a darn sin, / When they'll cull out those ties and they'll steal them again. 1964 BLONDAHL (ed) 36 "Squarin' Up". The way that old ruffian took on was a sin... / And just at that moment the Parson walked in. P 148-65 'It's a sin.' Equivalent to 'It's a shame!' but not to 'Shockin'!' Often said when dogs or cats might be tormented by children. 1973 PINSENT 3 They'll never taste that way again. Anyway. You don't change... Don't ask me if that's a sin. I can't keep up with it myself.
