A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words / Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

by John Camden Hotten

SHARK, a sharper, a swindler. Bow-street term in 1785, now in most dictionaries.—Friesic and Danish, SCHURK.—See [LAND-SHARK].

SHAVE, a false alarm, a hoax, a sell. This was much used in the Crimea during the Russian campaign.

SHAVE, a narrow escape. At Cambridge, “just SHAVING through,” or “making a SHAVE,” is just escaping a “pluck” by coming out at the bottom of the list.

“My terms are anything but dear,

Then read with me, and never fear;

The examiners we’re sure to queer,

And get through, if you make a SHAVE on’t.”

The Private Tutor.

SHAVER, a sharp fellow; “a young” or “old SHAVER,” a boy or man.—Sea.

SHEEN, bad money.—Scotch.