scrimshank

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Unclear. One hypothesis is that it derives from (the noun scrimshanker, from) scrimp + swanker (old military slang for someone who works hard).[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb[edit]

scrimshank (third-person singular simple present scrimshanks, present participle scrimshanking, simple past and past participle scrimshanked)

  1. (UK, military, slang) To shirk duty.

Derived terms[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Albert Barrère, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, volume II (L to Z) (original 1897, reprinted 2018, Read Books Ltd, →ISBN); see entries for "Scrimshanker (army)" and "Swanker (public and military schools), one who works hard."
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