shicer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ObsoleteInformal, Archaic, Slang
Quick answer
What does “shicer” mean?
A worthless person or thing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A worthless person or thing; a failure; a swindler.
A person who fails to pay debts or meet obligations; something that yields no return or profit; a barren mining claim.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Word is obsolete in both, but had slightly more historical usage in Australian/British contexts from 19th-century mining slang. American usage was rare and likely borrowed.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both. May carry a faintly colonial or 'frontier' association.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in modern speech or writing in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “shicer” in a Sentence
[determiner] + shicerverb + be + a shicerverb + call + NP + a shicerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shicer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The shicer claim was abandoned.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/linguistic studies of slang.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shicer”
- Misspelling as 'shiker' or 'shycer'. Using in modern contexts where it would not be understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an obsolete piece of slang. You might encounter it in historical novels or texts about the 19th century, but it is not part of modern English vocabulary.
It originates from 19th-century Australian gold-mining slang, likely from the German word 'Scheißer' (defecator), used as a general term of contempt. It entered broader English slang from there.
Yes. Its core meaning covers both a worthless or swindling person and a thing or venture that fails completely (like a barren mine).
As a passive, recognition-only item. Learners should understand its meaning if they read historical material but should not attempt to use it actively in speech or writing, as it will sound archaic and confuse listeners.
A worthless person or thing.
Shicer is usually informal, archaic, slang in register.
Shicer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃaɪsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃaɪsər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn shicer”
- “a proper shicer”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a miner saying, "This claim is a SHICER," sounding like 'shy-sir,' too shy to produce any gold.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NON-PRODUCER IS A WORTHLESS PERSON/THING (from mining: a claim that yields nothing).
Practice
Quiz
In its original context, 'shicer' was most closely associated with which activity?