shuck

¹ American  

[shuhk] / ʃʌk /

noun

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.

---

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.

---

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

---

verb

1. to remove the shucks from

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

Other Word Forms

• shucker noun

Etymology

Origin of shuck¹

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Origin of shuck¹

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

Example Sentences

Pro Shuckers Kit – I’d never shucked oysters before and was honestly a little stressed — but it turns out to be so much easier than expected.

From Salon

My sister and I, along with our four cousins, spent many afternoons throughout the summer with our grandmother shelling bushels of peas and shucking corn.

From Salon

Ridiculous Tour,” hovering over a giant photo of the comedian wearing his signature “well, shucks” grin.

From Salon

He relied on his light roux and the juices from the freshly shucked oysters to properly enrich the broth.

From Salon

Schiff shucked the microphone and walked off with an impish smile.

From Los Angeles Times