shebang

[shuh-bang]

noun

1. Informal.,  the structure of something, as of an organization, contrivance, or affair.

   The whole shebang fell apart when the chairman quit.

2. a primitive dwelling; shack; shanty.

shebang

/ ʃɪˈbæŋ /

noun

1. a situation, matter, or affair (esp in the phrase the whole shebang )

2. a hut or shack

Word History and Origins

Origin of shebang¹

1860–65, origin uncertain (perhaps alteration of char-à-banc ( def. ), though sense shift unclear; shebeen, often cited as the source, is implausible both phonetically and semantically)

Word History and Origins

Origin of shebang¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Davies says: "I play Rob from the age of 15 right the way through to the end of the film... It's full body, voice, dancing - the whole shebang."

From BBC

Fact: The Dodgers are perfectly set up to finish this shebang by the end of the week.

From Los Angeles Times

That changed in their first game since Foster went from running backs coach to running the whole shebang.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're ready to move on to making the whole shebang in the acoustic domain."

From Science Daily

Anna Wintour, a Met trustee for whom part of the institute has been renamed, organizes the whole shebang.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• assemblage 
• assortment 
• band 
• batch 
• bevy 
• bundle 
• chunk 
• cluster 
• crew 
• crowd 
• flock 
• gang 
• group 
• lot 
• mess 
• mob 
• multitude 
• number 
• pack 
• pile