Definition of shinplaster in English:
shinplaster
nounˈʃɪnplɑːstəˈʃɪnˌplæstər
informal, historical 1Australian US NZ A banknote or promissory note regarded as having little or no value.
‘didn't they tell you we don't take no shinplasters here?’
Example sentencesExamples
- So he set to work and issued a large amount of these little shinplasters, and at first redeemed them for a while until he had got some thousands of dollars issued.
- Once again Texans used bank notes from other states and shinplasters instead of the Texas money.
- It is ‘faith’ and ‘law,’ which give the shinplasters of today, purchasing power.
- This promise was printed prominently on the face of shinplasters to inspire trust and acceptance.
- The bit of harbour shinplaster that Monrova had left over from his purchase was used to stock the galley with fruits and vegetables and cooking supplies and vodka.
- The men when gambling rarely spread out the shinplasters thrown on to the table, and the dummy was accepted in play.
Synonyms
cash, hard cash, ready money
2Canadian A twenty-five cent bill.
Example sentencesExamples
- ‘The time has come for the penny to go the way of the shinplaster,’ the MP said.
- You will hear of short snorters, the reason we had shinplasters, the note that started the collection, the $1 bills given by a grandmother every Christmas, and other exciting tales.
Origin
So named because of the resemblance to a square piece of paper soaked in vinegar and used to bandage the shin.
Definition of shinplaster in US English:
shinplaster
nounˈʃɪnˌplæstərˈSHinˌplastər
historical, informal 1Australian US NZ A piece of paper currency or a promissory note regarded as having little or no value.
“didn't they tell you we don't take no shinplasters here?”
Example sentencesExamples
- This promise was printed prominently on the face of shinplasters to inspire trust and acceptance.
- It is ‘faith’ and ‘law,’ which give the shinplasters of today, purchasing power.
- So he set to work and issued a large amount of these little shinplasters, and at first redeemed them for a while until he had got some thousands of dollars issued.
- Once again Texans used bank notes from other states and shinplasters instead of the Texas money.
- The bit of harbour shinplaster that Monrova had left over from his purchase was used to stock the galley with fruits and vegetables and cooking supplies and vodka.
- The men when gambling rarely spread out the shinplasters thrown on to the table, and the dummy was accepted in play.
Synonyms
cash, hard cash, ready money
2Canadian A twenty-five cent bill.
Example sentencesExamples
- ‘The time has come for the penny to go the way of the shinplaster,’ the MP said.
- You will hear of short snorters, the reason we had shinplasters, the note that started the collection, the $1 bills given by a grandmother every Christmas, and other exciting tales.
Origin
So named because of the resemblance to a square piece of paper soaked in vinegar and used to bandage the shin.