SHINOLA Meaning and
Definition
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Shinola is a noun that refers to an American brand known for its shoe polish and related products. However, the word "shinola" also has a colloquial usage, particularly in American English, which is not directly tied to the brand. In this sense, "shinola" is often used in the phrase "to not know shit from Shinola" or similar variations.
As a colloquialism, "not know shit from Shinola" is an idiom used to describe someone's lack of understanding or knowledge about a particular subject or situation. The phrase suggests that the person is so clueless that they would not even be able to distinguish between two completely unrelated things – in this case, "shit" (referring to excrement) and "Shinola" (referring to a brand of shoe polish). It carries a connotation of ignorance or stupidity.
The phrase originated in the early 20th century and gained popularity in American slang during the mid-20th century. It is often used in informal contexts, whether in casual conversations or in literature. However, it should be noted that the phrase can be considered vulgar due to the use of an expletive, and may not be appropriate for formal settings.
While the brand itself may not be as widely recognized today, the idiomatic usage of "shinola" in American English has endured and remains a recognizable expression to convey a lack of knowledge or understanding.
Etymology of SHINOLA
The word "shinola" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It became popularized through the phrase "You don't know shit from Shinola", which was commonly used as an insult.
The exact etymology of "shinola" is unclear, but it is generally thought to have been derived from the Shinola brand of shoe polish. Shinola was a popular shoe polish in the early 20th century that had a distinctive odor. The phrase likely arose from the idea that someone who couldn't distinguish between "shit" (feces) and Shinola shoe polish had poor judgment or knowledge.
Over time, the phrase "You don't know shit from Shinola" evolved to simply "Shinola" and came to be used as a colloquialism to refer to something of little value, or to express a lack of knowledge or understanding.
Idioms with the word SHINOLA
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not know shit from shinola
To not know anything or be clueless about a particular subject or topic.
