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shebang

The origin and history of shebang.

Etymology

Origin unclear — the word surfaces in 1850s America meaning a shelter or ramshackle building, likely influenced by "shebeen" (an unlicensed Irish drinking house); the computing sense is unrelated and much later.

Origin: Irish · First attested 1850

Class of 1850

shebang first entered the language around 1850. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1850 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.