Shiv Comes From the Romani Word for a Blade
A shiv is an improvised knife. The word entered English through Romani.
A shiv is a knife, especially a crude improvised one made in prison. The word came from Romani *chiv*, a blade, through the criminal slang of nineteenth-century Britain, where it first appeared as *chive*. Romani contributed a surprising number of English slang words along the same route, including *pal*, *nark*, *cushty* and *lollipop*. A *shank* means the same thing and is a separate word, from the part of a blade that fits into the handle.
- An improvised knife. *A prison shiv.*
- To stab. *Shivved him.*
- Chive — the older form. *A chive.*
- Shank — a synonym. *A shank.*
- Romani — *chiv*, a blade. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | shiv | A shiv. |
| Plural | shivs | Shivs. |
| Verb | shiv | Shivved. |
| Older form | chive | A chive. |
| Romani | chiv | A blade. |
- A shiv made from a toothbrush.Prison.
- Chiv means a blade.Etymology.
- A shank is the same thing.Synonym.
Romani words in English
- Pal — from *phral*, a brother
- Nark — from *nak*, a nose, hence an informer
- Cushty — from *kushto*, good
- Lollipop — probably from *loli phabai*, a red apple
- Chav — disputed, possibly from *chavo*, a boy
Romani *chiv*, a blade, through British criminal slang, recorded as *chive* from the 1670s.
Where does shiv come from?
From Romani chiv, a blade, which entered English criminal slang as chive in the 1600s.
Is pal also a Romani word?
Yes. It comes from phral, meaning a brother.