schop

Schop is a Dutch noun meaning shovel, the hand tool used for digging and moving loose materials. A typical schop consists of a broad, flat blade attached to a handle, and it is designed to scoop soil, sand, coal, snow, or similar substances. It is a common implement in gardening, construction, agriculture, and outdoor maintenance.

Design and varieties vary by task. The blade is usually metal, with the handle made of wood or a modern composite. Different shapes and sizes optimize for specific work, from lightweight garden tasks to heavier excavation. In daily use, the term schop refers to the tool rather than to machinery, though it appears in compounds and phrases describing digging, scooping, or moving materials.

Etymology and cognates. Schop is a Germanic word with cognates in related languages. It is related to the German Schaufel (shovel) and to the English shovel in sense, though each language has its own development and spelling. The Dutch form reflects typical Germanic word endings and illustrates the close historical relationship among these terms for digging tools.

Usage and context. In modern Dutch, schop appears primarily in practical contexts—home, garden, and work settings where digging or scooping is required. The concept of a digging tool also appears in related sports and crafts terminology in some dialects, but the core meaning remains the hand tool used for moving material.

See also: Schaufel, Shovel.