shuck

¹ American  

[shuhk] / ʃʌk /

noun

1. a husk or pod, as the outer covering of corn, hickory nuts, chestnuts, etc.

2. Informal. Usually shucks something useless or worthless.

   They don't care shucks about the project.

3. the shell of an oyster or clam.

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verb (used with object)

1. to remove the shucks from.

   to shuck corn.

2. to remove or discard as or like shucks; peel off.

   to shuck one's clothes.

3. Slang. to get rid of (often followed byoff ).

   a bad habit I couldn't shuck off for years.

interjection

1. Informal. shucks, (used as a mild exclamation of disgust or regret.)

shuck ² American  

[shuhk] / ʃʌk /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to deceive or lie to.

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shuck British  

/ ʃʌk /

noun

1. the outer covering of something, such as the husk of a grain of maize, a pea pod, or an oyster shell

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verb

1. to remove the shucks from

2. informal to throw off or remove (clothes, etc)

Other Word Forms

• shucker noun

Etymology

Origin of shuck¹

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Origin of shuck²

1955–60; origin uncertain; perhaps from exclamation shucks! ( shuck ¹ ) taken as a feigned sign of rural ignorance or a sham apology

Example Sentences

I didn’t want to be the aww shucks dad, “kids are so crazy” comic, so I appreciate you noticing that.

From Los Angeles Times

Resigned though I was to learning and knowledge, I’d hoped Dad would let us lay out of school for the corn shucking.

From Literature

Shutting the door behind me, I set the foil packet down on my desk before shucking off my Academy jacket and hanging it carefully in my closet.

From Literature

She had all kinds of girl stuff setting around; corn shuck dolls, mud pies, and pretty bottles.

From Literature

Pro Shuckers Kit – I’d never shucked oysters before and was honestly a little stressed — but it turns out to be so much easier than expected.

From Salon