General
scrimshanks
What does scrimshanks mean?
To avoid work or one's fair share of effort. Northern/British dialect.
"He's always scrimshanking when there's graft to be done."
Origin
British/Northern dialect 'scrimshank' (to shirk), 19th-century military slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does scrimshank mean?
To scrimshank is to shirk work or dodge your fair share of effort. It's Northern and British dialect with 19th-century military roots.
Where does scrimshank come from?
It began as 19th-century military slang for avoiding duty and survives in Northern British dialect.
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