Shanked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
⛳
shanked
[ʃæŋkt ]
Definition
informal usage
To shank means to hit or spoil a shot, typically in a sport like golf or soccer, where the shot goes off target due to poor technique. It is often used to describe a mishit that results in an unexpected direction or failure to reach the intended goal. This term can also be applied more broadly in various contexts where a failure to execute is evident. For instance, in golf, one might shank a ball by hitting it with the heel of the club.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He shanked the golf ball into the woods.
- During the match, she shanked a penalty kick over the goal.
- His last-minute attempt was shanked badly.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- In movies or shows set in prisons, shanking often symbolizes power struggles and survival.
- Songs and books sometimes use the act of shanking to portray themes of conflict and desperation.
History
- Historical records show that makeshift weapons, like shanks, have been used in various conflicts and rebellions.
- In certain prison systems, the term became widely recognized in the late 20th century as violence increased behind bars.
Psychology
- The act of shanking can reflect deeper societal issues, such as trauma and the survival instinct in the face of danger.
- Studies indicate that environments devoid of proper mental health resources may lead to increased violence, including shanking.
Sports
- In golf, a 'shank' refers to a poorly hit shot, where the ball veers off in an unintended direction, similar to the unpredictability of a shank in combat.
- Both golf and the act of shanking require precision and control, illustrating the importance of skill in various contexts.
Origin of 'shanked'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'shank' originally referred to the lower part of a leg or a piece of meat cut from the leg.
- In modern slang, 'shank' has evolved to denote a makeshift weapon used in fights.
The term 'shank' has its roots in Old English, derived from the word 'sceanca', meaning 'a part of the leg'. Over time, the word evolved and adopted various meanings, particularly in the context of sports. In the early 20th century, the term began to be used colloquially in sports discourse, particularly golf, to describe a poorly executed shot. It has since been adopted into wider use in sports and everyday conversation, often used humorously or to describe a situation where one fails unexpectedly. The word encapsulates the idea of mishaps and errors, reflecting the unpredictability of performance in sports and other competitive activities.