Shiv (weapon): Difference between revisions
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[[File:Wooden shiv.jpg|thumb|A shiv confiscated in a South African prison]] |
[[File:Wooden shiv.jpg|thumb|A shiv confiscated in a South African prison]] |
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[[File:Shiv.jpg|thumb|Shivs hidden in a book, Hong Kong]] |
[[File:Shiv.jpg|thumb|Shivs hidden in a book, Hong Kong]] |
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A '''shiv''', also '''chiv, schiv''', '''shivvie''', or '''shank''',<ref>[https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=shank |
A '''shiv''', also '''chiv, schiv''', '''shivvie''', or '''shank''',<ref>[https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=shank]</ref><ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shank]</ref> is a handcrafted [[edged and bladed weapons|bladed-weapon]] resembling a [[knife]] that is commonly associated with [[London]]. |
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Since |
Since blades are highly prohibited in the [[United Kingdom]], the intended mode of concealment is central to a shiv's construction. An especially thin handle, for instance, makes it easier to conceal in a hidden pocket of a coat, or in stacks of objects, such as books, permitted to the London gent; however, this can also render the shiv difficult to grip and wield. Due to the number of [[Knife crime|knife crimes]] increasing in the United Kingdom, authorities have taken measures such as [[Frisking|body searches]] in order to prevent knife violence amongst [[Civilian|civilians]], but these measures often fail, since '''shanks''' are made by hand and can easily be hidden. Beyond the authorities, it is also desirable to conceal possession of a shiv from members of a rival [[Gang|street gang]]. |
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The word is recorded from the 1670s in the spelling ''chive'' as [[Cant (language)|cant]] for ''knife'', whose pronunciation is reflected in the spelling ''shiv'' recorded in underworld slang from 1915 and possibly used since the 1890s or earlier. The cant word probably came from the [[Romani language|Romani]] word ''chiv'' for "blade" (compare Romani ''chivomengro'' "knife").<ref>[https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=shiv shiv] in the American Heritage Dictionary</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=shiv {{!}} Origin and meaning of shiv by Online Etymology Dictionary|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/shiv|access-date=2020-08-03|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref> The derived verb '''shiv''' means "to stab someone", and a '''shivver''' is an archaic or rarely used term for a criminal who attacks victims with a knife.<ref>{{citation | author=Tom Dalzell | author-link=Tom Dalzell | entry=shiv; chiv; shivvie | title=The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English | year=2009 | page=869}}</ref> |
The word is recorded from the 1670s in the spelling ''chive'' as [[Cant (language)|cant]] for ''knife'', whose pronunciation is reflected in the spelling ''shiv'' recorded in underworld slang from 1915 and possibly used since the 1890s or earlier. The cant word probably came from the [[Romani language|Romani]] word ''chiv'' for "blade" (compare Romani ''chivomengro'' "knife").<ref>[https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=shiv shiv] in the American Heritage Dictionary</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=shiv {{!}} Origin and meaning of shiv by Online Etymology Dictionary|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/shiv|access-date=2020-08-03|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref> The derived verb '''shiv''' means "to stab someone", and a '''shivver''' is an archaic or rarely used term for a criminal who attacks victims with a knife.<ref>{{citation | author=Tom Dalzell | author-link=Tom Dalzell | entry=shiv; chiv; shivvie | title=The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English | year=2009 | page=869}}</ref> |
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== Usage == |
== Usage == |
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The word is [[ |
The word is [[slang]] for an improvised knife. The word generally applies to both stabbing and edged weapons. A shiv can be anything from a glass shard with fabric wrapped around one end to form a handle, to a razor blade stuck in the end of a toothbrush, to a simple toothbrush handle, filed into a sharp point. |
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In the 1950s, British criminal [[Billy Hill (gangster)|Billy Hill]] described his use of the shiv: {{quote|I was always careful to draw my knife down on the face, never across or upwards. Always down. So that if the knife slips you don't cut an artery. After all, chivving is chivving, but cutting an artery is usually murder. Only mugs do murder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/jul/30/biography.billyhill|title=Billy Hill biography remembers one of Britain's best known gangsters|first=Duncan|last=Campbell|author-link=Duncan Campbell (journalist, born 1944)|date=29 July 2008|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>}} |
In the 1950s, British criminal [[Billy Hill (gangster)|Billy Hill]] described his use of the shiv: {{quote|I was always careful to draw my knife down on the face, never across or upwards. Always down. So that if the knife slips you don't cut an artery. After all, chivving is chivving, but cutting an artery is usually murder. Only mugs do murder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/jul/30/biography.billyhill|title=Billy Hill biography remembers one of Britain's best known gangsters|first=Duncan|last=Campbell|author-link=Duncan Campbell (journalist, born 1944)|date=29 July 2008|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>}} |
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In the [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]], weapons, sharpened instruments, and knives are considered contraband and their possession is punishable as a highest severity-level prohibited act.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5270_009.pdf |title=Inmate discipline program |website=www.bop.gov|format=PDF|access-date=2020-06-09}}</ref> |
In the [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]], weapons, sharpened instruments, and knives are considered contraband and their possession is punishable as a highest severity-level prohibited act.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5270_009.pdf |title=Inmate discipline program |website=www.bop.gov|format=PDF|access-date=2020-06-09}}</ref> |
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Since the [[Industrial Revolution|industrial revolution]], violent [[Gang|street gangs]] have been using improvised knives to commit minor crimes, such as [[Theft|petty theft]], and major crimes, such as [[murder]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 02:16, 15 December 2022
A shiv, also chiv, schiv, shivvie, or shank,[1][2] is a handcrafted bladed-weapon resembling a knife that is commonly associated with London.
Since blades are highly prohibited in the United Kingdom, the intended mode of concealment is central to a shiv's construction. An especially thin handle, for instance, makes it easier to conceal in a hidden pocket of a coat, or in stacks of objects, such as books, permitted to the London gent; however, this can also render the shiv difficult to grip and wield. Due to the number of knife crimes increasing in the United Kingdom, authorities have taken measures such as body searches in order to prevent knife violence amongst civilians, but these measures often fail, since shanks are made by hand and can easily be hidden. Beyond the authorities, it is also desirable to conceal possession of a shiv from members of a rival street gang.
The word is recorded from the 1670s in the spelling chive as cant for knife, whose pronunciation is reflected in the spelling shiv recorded in underworld slang from 1915 and possibly used since the 1890s or earlier. The cant word probably came from the Romani word chiv for "blade" (compare Romani chivomengro "knife").[3][4] The derived verb shiv means "to stab someone", and a shivver is an archaic or rarely used term for a criminal who attacks victims with a knife.[5]
Usage
The word is slang for an improvised knife. The word generally applies to both stabbing and edged weapons. A shiv can be anything from a glass shard with fabric wrapped around one end to form a handle, to a razor blade stuck in the end of a toothbrush, to a simple toothbrush handle, filed into a sharp point.
In the 1950s, British criminal Billy Hill described his use of the shiv:
I was always careful to draw my knife down on the face, never across or upwards. Always down. So that if the knife slips you don't cut an artery. After all, chivving is chivving, but cutting an artery is usually murder. Only mugs do murder.[6]
In the Federal Bureau of Prisons, weapons, sharpened instruments, and knives are considered contraband and their possession is punishable as a highest severity-level prohibited act.[7]
Since the industrial revolution, violent street gangs have been using improvised knives to commit minor crimes, such as petty theft, and major crimes, such as murder.
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ shiv in the American Heritage Dictionary
- ^ "shiv | Origin and meaning of shiv by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- ^ Tom Dalzell (2009), "shiv; chiv; shivvie", The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English, p. 869
- ^ Campbell, Duncan (29 July 2008). "Billy Hill biography remembers one of Britain's best known gangsters" – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Inmate discipline program" (PDF). www.bop.gov. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
