does anyone know the originof the word SHAG? we think it is Irish?

Answer 1

it could be a seafaring term, to procure sexual favours with some shag tobbacco. i don't think its irish in origin though.

Answer 2

Shag is first recorded in the late eighteenth century, in the second edition of Captain Francis Grose's Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, defined as "to copulate." Through the nineteenth century, the word was apparently considered quite vulgar; it is only found in underground or privately printed books (such as Pearl, a pornographic newsletter published in 1879 and 1880). However there are several American examples during this period. Shag is said to have been common in the speech of British soldiers in World War One, where it may have been further exposed to Americans. It isn't until the post-WWII period, though, that it begins to appear openly in general writings. It is found only rarely in American use, and those few examples may be deliberate attempts at using a Briticism.

Answer 3

Hello. I am from London but am half Irish. That word is used a lot in England but I think it's even more commonly used in Ireland. Of course, it's also a type of tobacco and I wonder whether that has anything to do with the meaning being discussed here?

Answer 4

The origin of shag is unfortunately unknown.

Answer 5

Yeah...we use it a lot in Ireland...But I don't think that necessarily constitutes it being invented here.

We also say feek, ride, root, bull...but again I don't think we invented those words, I think we just took them and used them!

Answer 6

It must be British. Austin Powers says it repeatedly.

Answer 7

Im almost everything that the Irish invented EVERYTHING

Answer 8

In Nottingham it means Friend or mate

Answer 9

There are 12 different explanations of it on

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=shag

Including a type of bird

Answer 10

Bird or tobacco types. That's all I know. (apart from the crude definition).