shilling
shilling
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "shilling" is /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
shil-: /ʃɪl/
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative (like the "sh" in "ship")
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant (like the "l" in "lip")
-ling: /ɪŋ/
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")
/ŋ/ - velar nasal (like the "ng" in "sing")
Word Form Variations
shilling (singular)
shillings (plural)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A former British coin equal to twelve pence, or one-twentieth of a pound. It is no longer in circulation but remains a historical unit of currency.
Synonyms: bob (informal, chiefly British), twelvepence (historical)
Antonyms: (Since "shilling" refers to a specific historical coin, direct antonyms are difficult to find. You could consider terms like "pound" or "guinea" which represent larger sums of money, or perhaps a more modern currency like "euro" or "dollar" as a contrast to a historical currency.)
Definition: In some countries (like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia), the basic monetary unit.
Synonyms: currency unit, monetary unit
Antonyms: (Again, direct antonyms are difficult. You might consider a different country's currency like "rupee" or "yen" as a contrast.)
Definition (historical): A small amount of money; a trifling sum. Often used in phrases like "not worth a shilling."
Synonyms: pittance, trifle, small amount, negligible sum
Antonyms: fortune, large amount, significant sum, wealth
It's important to note that the first definition is historical, as the British shilling is no longer in circulation. The second definition is current, referring to the shillings used in various East African countries. The third definition is more idiomatic and refers to a small value.
Examples of Use
Historical Context (British Shilling):
Literature: "He had not a shilling in his pocket." (Often found in classic literature like the works of Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, though I can't cite a specific instance without a more targeted search.) This exemplifies the historical use of the word.
Film/Television (Historical Dramas): Characters in period dramas set in Britain often discuss amounts of money in shillings. You might hear a line like, "That will cost you five shillings." (Again, specific examples are numerous but hard to pinpoint without a targeted search of dialogue transcripts.)
Modern Currency (East African Shilling):
News Articles: "The Kenyan shilling has weakened against the US dollar." (Many financial news outlets report on currency exchange rates. Searching for "Kenyan shilling exchange rate" will provide numerous examples from sources like Reuters, Bloomberg, and the Financial Times.)
Travel Blogs: "A meal in a local restaurant cost us only a few Ugandan shillings." (Travel blogs and articles often mention local currencies and prices. A general web search for "Uganda travel blog" combined with "shilling" will yield examples.)
Business Reports: "The company's revenue in Tanzanian shillings increased by 10%." (Companies operating in East Africa will use the local currencies in their financial reporting. You can find such reports on company websites or through financial news databases.)
Idiomatic Usage (Small Amount):
Everyday Speech: "I wouldn't give a shilling for that." (This common expression means something is worthless to the speaker.) This is hard to source as it's spoken, but you'll hear it in casual conversation.
Online Forums/Social Media: "That's not worth a shilling!" (Similar to the above, this is common in online discussions and reviews where people express strong negative opinions.) Again, hard to source a specific instance, but a general search might find examples.
10 Famous Quotes Using Shilling
"A shilling life will give you all the facts." — W. H. Auden
"Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling your ring?"— Edward Lear
"Do you know why I always keep a shilling in my pocket? Because everything I am today, everything I've earned—it all started there."— Tessa Dare
"He wouldn't spend a shilling to save the world."— Anonymous
"Not worth a shilling."— Anonymous
"He gave his last shilling to help a friend in need."— Anonymous
"Back in my day, a shilling could buy you a hearty meal."— Anonymous
"She inherited not a penny, not a shilling, from her wealthy uncle."— Anonymous
"They used to say he was as thrifty as a shilling." — Anonymous
"For a shilling more, you could upgrade to first class." — Anonymous
Etymology
The word "shilling" has a pretty interesting history! It comes from Old English, specifically the word scilling. This scilling likely came from even older Germanic roots, related to words meaning "to cut" or "divide." Think about it: a coin is a cut or divided piece of metal used in exchange.
The first known use of "shilling" in English (or its ancestor forms) goes way back, probably before the year 1000 AD. In those early days, it wasn't necessarily a specific coin like we think of it today. Instead, it was more of a unit of value. It represented a certain amount of money, or sometimes even a specific weight of silver. So, it was a way to measure value in trade and transactions.
Over time, the "shilling" evolved. It eventually became the name of a specific silver coin in England, equal to twelve pence. This coin was used for centuries until it was finally phased out in the late 20th century. Even though the British shilling coin is gone, the name "shilling" is still used for the currencies of some East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. So, the word has kept its meaning of "monetary unit" even though the specific form of that unit has changed over time and place.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Shilling
The word "shilling" isn't exactly overflowing with common phrases and idioms, especially in modern English. This is likely because the British shilling is no longer in circulation, and while the word is still used for East African currencies, those usages aren't as prevalent in general English discourse. Also, the concept of a specific small denomination of currency doesn't lend itself to as many colorful expressions as larger sums or more abstract financial concepts.
Here's a breakdown of what we do have, and how we can supplement:
Common/Semi-Common Phrases & Idioms:
Not worth a shilling: This is the most common and widely understood idiom. It means something is worthless or of very little value.
I wouldn't give a shilling for it: A variation of the above, expressing strong dislike or lack of value.
Why it's hard to find more: As mentioned, the historical context of the shilling makes it less relevant to modern life for many English speakers. Also, the specific value of a shilling (small) doesn't inspire as many metaphorical uses as larger sums.
Supplementing with Lesser-Known/Original Phrases:
Since common phrases are limited, we can create some realistic, if not widely used, examples to show how the word could be used:
"He scrimped and saved every shilling to buy a new coat." (Focuses on the small amount and effort to accumulate it)
"She counted her shillings carefully, knowing they had to last until payday." (Highlights the small denomination and careful management)
"He made a few extra shillings by doing odd jobs." (Emphasizes small earnings)
"The antique coin was worth far more than its original shilling value." (Contrasts historical and current value)
Idioms with Synonyms/Similar Effect:
We can also look at idioms that capture the idea of a small amount of money or something worthless, even if they don't use "shilling" specifically:
"Not worth a dime/cent/penny" (American equivalents)
"Not worth a brass farthing" (Historical British coin of very low value)
"For tuppence" (Another small historical British coin, often used to mean "cheaply" or "insignificantly")
"A farthing a week" (Implies a ridiculously small amount)
"Next to nothing"
"A mere pittance"
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of shilling from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
