shuck

¹ American  

[shuhk] / ʃʌk /

noun

• shucks
  plural

1. a husk or pod, as the outer covering of corn, hickory nuts, chestnuts, etc.

2. Informal. Usually shucks something useless or worthless.

   They don't care shucks about the project.

3. the shell of an oyster or clam.

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verb (used with object)

1. to remove the shucks from.

   to shuck corn.

2. to remove or discard as or like shucks; peel off.

   to shuck one's clothes.

3. Slang. to get rid of (often followed byoff ).

   a bad habit I couldn't shuck off for years.

interjection

1. Informal. shucks, (used as a mild exclamation of disgust or regret.)

shuck ² American  

[shuhk] / ʃʌk /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to deceive or lie to.

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shuck British  

/ ʃʌk /

noun

1. the outer covering of something, such as the husk of a grain of maize, a pea pod, or an oyster shell

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verb

1. to remove the shucks from

2. informal to throw off or remove (clothes, etc)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• shucker
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• shucks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shuck¹

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Origin of shuck²

1955–60; origin uncertain; perhaps from exclamation shucks! ( see shuck ¹) taken as a feigned sign of rural ignorance or a sham apology

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shuck shucks

The actor learned to shuck oysters and clean fish to play a mentor to a teenage Anthony Bourdain in the new movie “Tony.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Ms. Andrews learned to shuck scallops there, and played “king of the hill” on the mound of discarded shells outside.

From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2024

So, it came as a major surprise when I learned that several markets now advise their consumers to shuck their corn at home.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2023

I’ll put one of my oyster plates in the freezer while I shuck the oysters from the farmers market.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2023

“I guess if a man had to shuck off everything he had, inside and out, he’d manage to hide a few little sins somewhere for his own discomfort. They’re the last things we’ll give up.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

During his $45 two-hour tours that embark from a dock at Schooner Landing, Holmes offers a steady patter of oyster-related wisecracks, as his partner, Olga Oros, shucks and hands out shellfish.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

I didn’t want to be the aww shucks dad, “kids are so crazy” comic, so I appreciate you noticing that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026

Some of the lines are more meta than others, with a character accusing Parton of stealing her man and Parton saying in her trademark, aw shucks tone, "I know people talk but I'm no witch."

From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2022

The NFL issued a $10 million fine — so, shucks, poor Dan will have to put his next super yacht on layaway — and shifted day-to-day control of the team to his wife, Tanya.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 23, 2022

“Aw, shucks, Mr. Lewis, I swear, but I’d feel a lot better if I could take a doggone nap.”

From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis