How Do You Spell SCRIMSHANK?

Pronunciation: [skɹˈɪmʃaŋk] (IPA)

The word "scrimshank" is spelled with a "c" not a "k" despite the similar sound in pronunciation. It is pronounced as /ˈskrɪmʃæŋk/ with stress on the first syllable. The word is often used in British English slang to refer to someone shirking their work or avoiding their responsibilities. Despite its appearance, the word has nothing to do with "shanking" or stabbing someone with a makeshift weapon. Instead, its origins are believed to be from the military term "scrimmage" or "skirmish" which means to avoid or dodge.

SCRIMSHANK Meaning and Definition

1. Scrimshank is a verb that originated in British military jargon, particularly in the context of the Royal Navy, and it is used to describe the act of avoiding one's duties or engaging in laziness or idleness. This term is commonly utilized to refer to an individual who shirks responsibilities or tries to evade work through various means.

   In the military setting, scrimshanking often involves intentionally avoiding an assigned task, skulking, or idling away time. It may include slacking off, feigning illness, or finding excuses to be absent or occupied with tasks not related to the assigned duty. Scrimshanking is generally viewed as a sign of indiscipline and an undermining of unit morale and cohesiveness.

   Beyond its military application, scrimshank can also be used to describe any action or behavior that demonstrates an individual's attempts to evade work or responsibilities, particularly in a deceitful or cunning manner. The term carries negative connotations, suggesting laziness, dishonesty, or a lack of commitment.

   The term scrimshank, with its origins rooted in military slang, has gradually entered the broader English vocabulary. Although not widely known, it remains a vivid descriptor for those engaging in work avoidance tactics or simply trying to escape their obligations.

Common Misspellings for SCRIMSHANK

• acrimshank
• zcrimshank
• xcrimshank
• dcrimshank
• ecrimshank
• wcrimshank
• sxrimshank
• svrimshank
• sfrimshank
• sdrimshank
• sceimshank
• scdimshank
• scfimshank
• sctimshank
• sc5imshank
• sc4imshank
• scrumshank
• scrjmshank
• scrkmshank

Etymology of SCRIMSHANK

The word "scrimshank" has its origins in British military slang. Its etymology is believed to be a combination of two unrelated terms: "scrim" and "shank".

The term "scrim" was used in the early 19th century to refer to the thin, translucent fabric used for making window curtains or for straining liquids. This fabric was often used by soldiers to create makeshift hammocks or hammock-like structures to rest or hide in during duty. It is speculated that "scrim" evolved into a verb form, meaning to evade duty or avoid work, possibly originating from the idea of hiding or resting behind a scrim.

On the other hand, "shank" refers to the upper part of the leg bone below the knee joint. In military slang, it was used to describe a soldier who pretended to be ill or injured in order to avoid work or duty.

Similar spelling words for SCRIMSHANK

• scrimmage,
• Schrimsher,
• Schramek,
• scrimshanker,
• scrimshaw.

Conjugate verb Scrimshank

CONDITIONAL

I would scrimshank

you would scrimshank

he/she/it would scrimshank

we would scrimshank

they would scrimshank

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be scrimshanking

you would be scrimshanking

he/she/it would be scrimshanking

we would be scrimshanking

they would be scrimshanking

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have scrimshank

you would have scrimshank

he/she/it would have scrimshank

we would have scrimshank

they would have scrimshank

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been scrimshanking

you would have been scrimshanking

he/she/it would have been scrimshanking

we would have been scrimshanking

they would have been scrimshanking

FUTURE

I will scrimshank

you will scrimshank

he/she/it will scrimshank

we will scrimshank

they will scrimshank

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be scrimshanking

you will be scrimshanking

he/she/it will be scrimshanking

we will be scrimshanking

they will be scrimshanking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have scrimshanked

you will have scrimshanked

he/she/it will have scrimshanked

we will have scrimshanked

they will have scrimshanked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been scrimshanking

you will have been scrimshanking

he/she/it will have been scrimshanking

we will have been scrimshanking

they will have been scrimshanking

IMPERATIVE

you scrimshank

we let´s scrimshank

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to scrimshank

PAST

I scrimshanked

you scrimshanked

he/she/it scrimshanked

we scrimshanked

they scrimshanked

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was scrimshanking

you were scrimshanking

he/she/it was scrimshanking

we were scrimshanking

they were scrimshanking

PAST PARTICIPLE

scrimshanked

PAST PERFECT

I had scrimshanked

you had scrimshanked

he/she/it had scrimshanked

we had scrimshanked

they had scrimshanked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been scrimshanking

you had been scrimshanking

he/she/it had been scrimshanking

we had been scrimshanking

they had been scrimshanking

PRESENT

I scrimshank

you scrimshank

he/she/it scrimshanks

we scrimshank

they scrimshank

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am scrimshanking

you are scrimshanking

he/she/it is scrimshanking

we are scrimshanking

they are scrimshanking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

scrimshanking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have scrimshanked

you have scrimshanked

he/she/it has scrimshanked

we have scrimshanked

they have scrimshanked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been scrimshanking

you have been scrimshanking

he/she/it has been scrimshanking

we have been scrimshanking

they have been scrimshanking