subs. (common).—1. A happening; a TO-DO (q.v.), whether warlike or not; specifically a frolic. Hence (2) = show, or display; and (3) a row, a SHINDY (q.v.). TO CUT A SHINE = to make a show; EVERY SHINE = every one. As verb. = (1) to make a stir, or impression, and (2) to raise or show money; TO TAKE THE SHINE OUT OF = (1) to outwit, and (2) put in the shade; TO SHINE UP (or TAKE A SHINE) TO = to make oneself agreeable; to have a fancy for.
1818. P. EGAN, Boxiana, I. 23. Who was selected to punish this Venetian for his vain-boasting, that he would take the shine out of Englishmen! Ibid. (1842), By-Blow of the Jug [Captain Macheath]. To the end of your life CUT A SHINE.
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 1 S., xvi. They fairly TAKE THE SHINE off creation—they are actilly equal to cash.
1841. E. G. PAIGE (‘Dow, Jr.’), Short Patent Sermons, iv. I have seen some evening twilights, my friends, that TAKE THE SHINE OFF of every thing below.
1843. W. T. THOMPSON, Major Jones’s Courtship, ii. They was all comin to me bout it, and SHININ and disputin so I couldn’t hardly hear one from tother.
1847. ROBB, Streaks of Squatter Life, 137. To make a SHINE with Sally, I sent over word that I would call that mornin’ and bring with me my fust pledge of affection, meanin’ the parasol.
1847. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, II. xxv. A long, thin, queer-looking, oldish fellow—a dry fellow though, that TOOK THE SHINE OUT OF a man in the talking line.
1848. W. E. BURTON, Waggeries and Vagaries, 78. Quite careless as to what ‘didoes and SHINES’ he might cut in future.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West, 13. I say. It won’t SHINE, and whar’s the dollars? Ibid., 174. You can’t SHINE.
1851. J. B. COBB, Mississippi Scenes, 155. I am pretty much like the old man, only I took a sort o’ SHINE to old Cass.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, lvii. There’d be a pretty SHINE made if I was to go a-wisitin them, I think.
1853. Diogenes, II. 46.
| And TAKE OUT THEIR SHINE | |
| With a jolly large fine. |
c. 1859. New York Spirit of the Times [BARTLETT]. You will find heaps of bogus money here, but bogus men CAN’T SHINE.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, xli. There’s mostly a SHINE of a Sunday evening.
1864. Hertford Post, 14 July. The public … will pronounce her the finest and most comfortable boat they have ever visited, and be satisfied that she is bound TO SHINE.
1834. C. A. DAVIS, Letters of Jack Downing, Major, 36. I am only sorry I didn’t bring Seth Sprague along with me, with his pitch-pipe, jist to take the SHINE off of them ’ere singers.
1869. H. B. STOWE, Oldtown Folks, xx. She need n’t think she ’s goin’ to come round me with any o’ her SHINES,… with lying stories about me.
1883. T. WINTHROP, John Brent, 17. I’ve TUK a middlin’ SHINE to you, and don’t want to see yer neck broke.
1886. The Congregationalist, 4 Feb. Mother was always hecterin’ me about getting married, and wantin’ I should SHINE up to this likely girl and that.
1841. CAPT. MCCLINTOCK, John Beedle’s Sleigh Ride, Courtship, and Marriage, 24. I took a great SHINE to the school-marm.
4. (common).—Money: generic: see RHINO.
1842. P. EGAN, The Bould Yeoman [in Captain Macheath], iii.
| Then the High-toby gloque drew his cutlass so fine; | |
| Says he to the farmer, ‘you or I for the SHINE!’ |
6. (military).—A flash: e.g., from a rifle.
1892. KIPLING, Barrack-Room Ballads, ‘The Young British Soldier.’ Shoot low at the limbers an’ don’t mind the SHINE.
