shinplaster

[ shin-plas-ter, -plah-ster ]

noun

1. a plaster for the shin or leg.
2. Informal. (formerly)
   1. a piece of paper money of a denomination lower than one dollar.
   2. money of little value, as that issued on insufficient security.

shinplaster

/ ˈʃɪnˌplɑːstə /

noun

1. a promissory note on brittle paper, issued by an individual

Word History and Origins

Origin of shinplaster¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; shin ¹ + plaster

Word History and Origins

Origin of shinplaster¹

C19: so called because of its resemblance to a sticking plaster

Example Sentences

If evry boddy had a fashun ov their own, it wud make az mutch trubble az a shinplaster kurrensy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Shinplaster was in the shape of a promissory note, made payable on demand.

From Project Gutenberg