shinny

¹

[ shin-ee ]

noun

, plural shin·nies.

1. a simple variety of hockey, played with a ball, block of wood, or the like, and clubs curved at one end.
2. the club used.

verb (used without object)

, shin·nied, shin·ny·ing.

1. to play shinny.
2. to drive the ball at shinny.

shinny

²

[ shin-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, shin·nied, shin·ny·ing.

1. shin ¹( def 5 ):

   He shinnied up the tree.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shinny¹

First recorded in 1665–75; variant of shin ye, cry used in the game

Origin of shinny²

1850–55, Americanism; apparently derivative of shin ¹; source of -y is unclear

Example Sentences

It reverts to the sport’s origins of outdoor “shinny” on frozen Canadian ponds more than 150 years ago while rekindling memories among players of youth spent at neighborhood backyard or street-corner rinks.

From Seattle Times

He gathered his strength and then he managed to shinny up the trunk inch by inch.

From Literature

He wants to shinny up the greasy pole, but I don’t know how ruthless he is.

From New York Times

On top of that, it takes time for our neurons to shinny their electricity up into our skulls.

From Washington Post

They use electrical wires and cables to travel between units, experts said, adding that they’re also adept at shinnying up from sewers, through pipes and up into toilets.

From Washington Post