probably from German Scheisser, literally, defecator
First Known Use 1844
I thought it derived from the character Shylock but Webster’s says no. Also for anyone who doesn’t know, please note it also can be very Jew-hatey, so there’s that.
And I thought it meant someone who operates a shy: a carnival attraction where you throw things at various kinds of targets in order to win a prize. The shy is one of the archetypal rigged games.
But I’m sure the dictionary compilers must know better than a yob like me.
Scheister is an accepted spelling. It’s also a lot more about shit lawyers than about shit jews than shyster, which is why I always prefer using it. It’s also a lot more about shit than shyness if you speak German and derivatives, which is also more in line with what I think of lawyers.
Well, even if it’s incorrect, I’ll use it. One of the powers of the English language is that you can mold it to your liking and it’s a-okay as long as other people understand you. And if Shakespeare can invent 1,600 words, surely I can invent a few myself 😜
*shyster* but your spelling is better.
I thought it derived from the character Shylock but Webster’s says no. Also for anyone who doesn’t know, please note it also can be very Jew-hatey, so there’s that.
And I thought it meant someone who operates a shy: a carnival attraction where you throw things at various kinds of targets in order to win a prize. The shy is one of the archetypal rigged games.
But I’m sure the dictionary compilers must know better than a yob like me.
Scheister is an accepted spelling. It’s also a lot more about shit lawyers than about shit jews than shyster, which is why I always prefer using it. It’s also a lot more about shit than shyness if you speak German and derivatives, which is also more in line with what I think of lawyers.
Not on the interwebs I can see, but would be curious to find the source for that. All the results I get back just spell it the other way.
From Wiktionary:
Geez why not make jghyshter an alternative form. Worsceshesctershistershire.
Wacky.
Well, even if it’s incorrect, I’ll use it. One of the powers of the English language is that you can mold it to your liking and it’s a-okay as long as other people understand you. And if Shakespeare can invent 1,600 words, surely I can invent a few myself 😜
Fair enough!
Happy cromulenting!