shiv

[ shiv ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a knife, especially a switchblade.
2. Also called shank. an improvised or homemade weapon for cutting or stabbing, especially one honed by a prison inmate or used by a criminal.

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or stab (someone) with a shiv; shank.

shiv

/ ʃɪv /

noun

1. a variant spelling of chiv

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiv¹

First recorded in 1665–75; perhaps alteration of Romani chiv “blade”

Example Sentences

Herculano-Houzel’s paper described T. rex as essentially wily enough to sharpen their own shivs.

From Los Angeles Times

He armed himself with a wrench and a wooden doorstop that he fashioned into a shiv.

From Los Angeles Times

He has taunted DeSantis from long distance for more than a year and plainly enjoyed being able to shiv him up close; a broad grin telegraphed his glee.

From Los Angeles Times

Sadly, late last night, Trump himself stuck a shiv in that trial balloon by announcing that he was endorsing Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio for the job, likely assuring his victory.

From Salon

Domont doesn’t destroy their bliss with a sledgehammer; she uses a shiv.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• cutter
• dagger
• machete
• scalpel
• sickle
• skewer
• sword

About This Word

What does shiv mean?

A shiv is a slang term for a knife, especially a switchblade. It is most often used to refer to improvised blades made in prison and the act of stabbing (shivving) fellow inmates or guards with them.

Where does shiv come from?

Shiv originates in British thieves’ slang term for a “knife,” chive or chiv, dating back to the 17th century. It is thought that chive and chiv are rooted in a Romani word for “blade.”

Shiv is an American English version of chive showing up as early as 1897. In his memoir The Road, Jack London chronicles his days as a hobo. He documents a lot of slang he encounters while hopping trains, including shiv for”knife.”

Shiv (shivving, shivved) has been used as a verb since at least the 1930s. In the story “Dream Street Rose” by Damon Runyon, for instance, a character is shivved (“stabbed”) by another. Shiv spread as a slang term in prisons, especially for knives improvised out of material at hand.

How is shiv used in real life?

Shiv is most often used to refer specifically to homemade knives in prison. A similar term to shiv is shank.

“Welcome to Oz!”

The prison or the magical realm?

“The magical realm”

*slowly taking shiv away from Tin Man’s throat*

Good

— sweaty five dollars (@iscoff) May 3, 2018

 

More examples of shiv:

“I broke one of my rules earlier today and went into Trader Joe’s (on a holiday!) — looked like a prison riot and I was without my shiv!”
—@elitejano, September 2008

“Dough Boy was the shot-caller, or the leader of his respective tribe, responsible for everything from negotiating with other factions to approving a well-placed shiv in someone’s abdomen.”
—Tim Alberta, Politico, September 2018

Note

This content is not meant to be a formal definition of this term. Rather, it is an informal summary that seeks to provide supplemental information and context important to know or keep in mind about the term’s history, meaning, and usage.