The word "shinnying" is spelled with two "n" letters, despite its pronunciation that ends in a "ng" sound that is usually associated with a single "n" letter. The reason behind this spelling is due to the word's origin from the Scottish game called "shinty" or "shinney". In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of "shinnying" is ˈʃɪniɪŋ. Knowing the correct spelling and pronunciation of this word may come in handy in the future when writing or speaking about playing a game of "shinty/shinney".
Shinnying is a verb derived from the noun "shinny," which refers to an informal and energetic form of iceless hockey or street hockey. The term originated in North America and is commonly used among children and young adults.
Shinnying is defined as the act of playing shinny or engaging in an impromptu game of hockey, typically on a non-ice surface such as a street, playground, or even a frozen pond. It often involves using makeshift goals or objects to mark the boundaries, and players may employ sticks, balls, or pucks depending on the available resources.
In shinnying, the rules are typically more relaxed and flexible compared to organized ice hockey. There may be variations in team size, and games often emphasize creativity, agility, and individual skill over strict adherence to regulations. Since shinny is played in informal environments, it allows for spontaneous participation, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community.
The term "shinnying" is not limited to hockey but can also be metaphorically used to describe a climber's action of ascending or descending a vertical surface, such as a tree or a mountain, by gripping with the shins and relying on body strength. This alternate definition of "shinnying" refers to the physical act of using one's shins or legs to propel and maneuver oneself while scaling an object or surface.
The word shinnying is derived from the word shinny, which refers to a form of informal hockey or a game similar to field hockey. The etymology of shinny is uncertain, but it is thought to have originated from the Scottish word shinty, which means a game played with sticks. It is also speculated that shinty may have a Gaelic influence, with a possible connection to the Irish sionnach meaning fox or the Welsh cynffon, also meaning tail. However, no definitive etymology has been established for the word shinny or its derived form shinnying.