General
shiv
What does shiv mean?
An improvised knife or razor — the classic prison weapon. Similar to a shank but the word 'shiv' often implies something more obviously blade-like: a smuggled razor, a sharpened piece of metal. Both noun ('he pulled a shiv') and verb ('he got shivved').
"Word on the block was somebody had a shiv with their name on it."
Origin
English thieves' cant from the 17th century, ultimately from Romani 'chiv' meaning blade. Adopted into US prison slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does shiv mean?
A shiv is a makeshift stabbing weapon — a prison-made blade.
How do you use shiv in a sentence?
"They found a shiv hidden in his cell."
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