Shed a tear, to take a dram, or glass of neat spirits; jocular phrase used, with a sort of grim earnestness, by old topers to each other. “Now then, old fellow, come and SHED A TEAR!” an invitation to take “summat short.” The origin may have been that ardent spirits, taken neat by younger persons, usually bring water to their eyes. With confirmed drinkers, however, the phrase is used with an air of mingled humour and regret at their own position. A still more pathetic phrase is—“putting a [NAIL IN ONE’S COFFIN],” which see. The term SHED A TEAR is probably derived from “eye-water.”
Sheen, bad money.—Scotch.
Sheeny, a Jew. This word is used by both Jew and Gentile at the East-end of London, and is not considered objectionable on either side.
Sheep’s eyes, loving looks, “to make SHEEP’S EYES at a person,” to cast amorous glances towards one on the sly.
“But he, the beast, was casting SHEEP’S EYES at her
Out of his bullock head.”
Shelf, “on the SHELF,” not yet disposed of; young ladies are said to be so situated when they cannot meet with husbands. “On the SHELF” also means pawned, or laid by in trust.
Shell out, to pay or count out money. Also a game played on a billiard table, a variation of pool.
Shepherd, to look after carefully, to place under police surveillance.
Shice, nothing; “to do anything for SHICE,” to get no payment. The term was first used by the Jews in the last century. Grose gives the phrase CHICE-AM-A-TRICE, which has a synonymous meaning. Spanish, CHICO, little; Anglo-Saxon, CHICHE, niggardly; or perhaps connected with the German, SCHEISSEN.