How Do You Spell SHINPLASTER?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɪnplastə] (IPA)

Shinplaster, a now-obsolete term for a fractional currency, has a tricky spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈʃɪnpleɪstər/. The first syllable rhymes with "pin," the second with "play," and the last with "ster." The confusion arises from the similarity of its spelling to "shin plaster," two unrelated words. The spelling "shinplaster" appeared in the US during the early 19th century and became widespread during the Civil War era when the federal government issued paper notes of low denomination to cope with the coin shortage.

SHINPLASTER Meaning and Definition

1. A "shinplaster" refers to an obsolete form of currency, particularly paper money, that originated in the United States and Canada during the 19th century. The term shinplaster is derived from the fact that this currency was typically printed on low-quality paper, causing it to be thin and easily torn, resembling a plaster for the shin.

   In the United States, shinplasters were commonly circulated in the mid-1800s as a form of small-denomination currency issued by private banks, local businesses, and even municipalities. It was often used to make change for larger bills or as a substitute when other forms of money were scarce. The denominations of shinplasters ranged from fractions of a dollar, such as 5, 10, 25, or 50 cents, to larger values like one or two dollars.

   Similarly, in Canada, shinplasters were issued by various provincial banks as banknotes with denominations ranging from 25 cents to one dollar during the 19th century. They served as a means of exchange for everyday transactions in a time when official government currency was less accessible in remote regions.

   However, due to their flimsy nature and lack of standardized value, shinplasters were prone to counterfeiting and were ultimately replaced by more secure and uniform forms of currency. While shinplasters hold little monetary value today, they remain an intriguing artifact of the early monetary systems in North America.

Common Misspellings for SHINPLASTER

• ahinplaster
• zhinplaster
• xhinplaster
• dhinplaster
• ehinplaster
• whinplaster
• sginplaster
• sbinplaster
• sninplaster
• sjinplaster
• suinplaster
• syinplaster
• shunplaster
• shjnplaster
• shknplaster
• shonplaster
• sh9nplaster
• sh8nplaster
• shibplaster

Etymology of SHINPLASTER

The word "shinplaster" has an interesting etymology. It originated in the United States in the 19th century and was used to refer to a type of inexpensive paper money that circulated during a period of currency shortage.

The term "shinplaster" is a compound word, combining "shin" and "plaster". The "shin" part derives from the slang term for the lower part of the leg between the knee and ankle, commonly called the shin. This term was used because these cheap paper notes were thin and flimsy, similar to the material used for a plaster or bandage that could be wrapped around the leg.

The "plaster" part of the word refers to the thinness and fragility of the paper used for these notes.

Plural form of SHINPLASTER is SHINPLASTERS