scrimshank

English

Etymology

Unclear. One hypothesis is that it derives from (the noun scrimshanker, from) scrimp + swanker (old military slang for someone who works hard).

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Verb

scrimshank (third-person singular simple present scrimshanks, present participle scrimshanking, simple past and past participle scrimshanked)

1. (UK, military, slang) To shirk duty.

Derived terms

• scrimshanker

See also

• scrimshaw