shindy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowInformal, colloquial, dated
Quick answer
What does “shindy” mean?
A noisy disturbance, quarrel, or uproar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A noisy disturbance, quarrel, or uproar; a row or commotion.
It can also refer to a lively party or noisy celebration, though this sense is less common and somewhat dated. Historically, it was used in naval slang for a celebration on a ship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is historically more common in British English but is now considered dated in both varieties. The term 'shindig' is more frequent in contemporary American English.
Connotations
In British English, it can carry a slight tone of old-fashioned slang or humor. In both varieties, it evokes an earlier time period.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern usage. When used, it is often for deliberate stylistic or humorous effect to sound old-fashioned.
Grammar
How to Use “shindy” in a Sentence
to kick up a shindythere was a shindyto cause a shindy about somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shindy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were shindying in the street until the police arrived.
American English
- The neighbours shindied over the property line all night.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Not used. Possibly found in historical texts or literature.
Everyday
Extremely rare and dated. Might be used humorously by an older speaker.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shindy”
- Confusing spelling with 'shindig'.
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Assuming it is a contemporary word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shindy' primarily means a noisy quarrel or disturbance. 'Shindig' is a more modern, informal term for a lively party or social event, though it can also imply a certain amount of noisy fun.
No, it is considered very dated and rare. It might be encountered in older literature, historical texts, or used deliberately for a humorous or stylistic effect to sound old-fashioned.
The most common fixed phrase is 'to kick up a shindy', meaning to make a noisy fuss, protest, or commotion about something.
A noisy disturbance, quarrel, or uproar.
Shindy is usually informal, colloquial, dated in register.
Shindy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪndi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪndi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “kick up a shindy (to make a noisy fuss or protest)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHIN being kicked during a noisy, chaotic DYsfunction – a SHIN-DY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NOISY EVENT IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (to kick up a shindy).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'shindy' LEAST likely to be used today?