shindig English · revision 764

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈʃɪn.dɪɡ/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Probably an alteration of [[shindy]] “a spree, row, merrymaking” (1821),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hendrickson 2008) itself of unknown origin,^(Barnhart 1995) perhaps from [[shinty]] (1771), a Scottish game akin to hockey.^(Etymonline)^(Hendrickson 2008) It has also been explained as from ''[[shin]]'' and ''[[dig]]'', “a kick in the shins”, perhaps through folk etymology.^(Etymonline)^(Hendrickson 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A dance, ball or rowdy party (1842 in Merriam-Webster; 1849 in the OED; 1851 in Etymonline, as US colloquial).^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Hendrickson records ''shin-dig'' in 1859 as a Southern word for a kick in the shins, and believes the party sense developed from it within about ten years.^(Hendrickson 2008) The party word was at first used especially of a low-class dance, and often in the South of gatherings of Black people.^(Etymonline) Early sources sometimes call the word Irish, but evidence is lacking.^(Etymonline) By 1871 it meant any lively gathering, and today usually a large or lavish party.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1821 – ''shindy'', a spree.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1842 – ''shindig'' (Merriam-Webster).^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1851 – a dance, a rowdy party.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1871 – a lively gathering of any kind.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A festive party or social gathering, often with dancing; especially a large or lavish one.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A noisy disturbance or commotion; a [[shindy]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[shindy]]

+ * [[shinty]]

+ * [[shinny]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}