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, Americanism; 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

When Google Ads expanded match types to include close variants, keywords with the same meaning, the whole shebang, this tactic lost a lot of power.

From Search Engine Land

Here are a few reasons the whole shebang can get under the skin of people who care about movies and TV, and why you shouldn’t take snubs on Globes night too seriously.

From Vox

If those investments start really paying off, she could make a case to lead the whole shebang one day.

From Ozy

Sheppard, in his second season running the whole shebang, said last month when rumors erupted of a possible Wall for Westbrook swap that there was nothing to it.

From Washington Post

Swelling, pus, the whole shebang; an angry reaction that lasted weeks.

From The Daily Beast

And, of course, the whole shebang can be topped with a dollop of hot cheese.

From The Daily Beast

I grew up wanting the whole shebang: Prince Charming, white picket fence and our cooing angel-faced children.

From The Daily Beast

They want the whole, glorious wedding shebang—including the significant white gown.

From The Daily Beast

You're mighty slow in learning that it ain't best to kick against the pricks in this 'ere shebang.

From Project Gutenberg

As for Mabel, she was one of them gushy, goo-gooey kind of girls, and she was as struck with the shebang as her dad.

From Project Gutenberg

The judge looked the shebang over sourly but finally nodded agreement.

From Project Gutenberg

I honestly b'lieve it come of us bein' on shore and runnin' the shebang on a share and share alike idee.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole shebang will go to pieces and the boys will be killed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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