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General Category => Words => Topic started by: drs on November 05, 2012, 01:24:08 PM

Title: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: drs on November 05, 2012, 01:24:08 PM

I was surprised to find "shill" listed as a common word in the "shrillest" puzzle. I've never heard of it, and for me I think that's a first for words listed as common. Chambers online doesn't list it, and OED lists it, but classifies it as "slang (chiefly N. Amer.)" - which is probably why I, an Aussie, don't know it! Question is: if it's only common in one part of the world, is it appropriate to list it as common?

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: ada on November 05, 2012, 01:31:39 PM

I love my Aussie slang being included, so it is fair to everyone to have their local ones included.
Just learn them for next time.  Think of "shill" as sixpence.  (Half a shilling.....)  ;)
ADA

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: ensiform on November 05, 2012, 04:05:32 PM

I would consider it very common, but then I am a N. Amer. slang type.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

http://www.amazon.com/Snipers-Shills-Sharks-Human-Behavior/dp/0691127131/

http://books.google.com/books?id=cMsLAWpbR_0C&pg=PA10&dq=shill#v=onepage&q=shill&f=false

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: drs on November 05, 2012, 05:40:00 PM

Bonzer advice, cobbers! I'll take it on board...  :-[

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: anonsi on November 06, 2012, 02:24:27 AM

I've never heard of it.

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: mkenuk on November 06, 2012, 03:35:00 AM

I know this word from somewhere, so was able to play it. I was surprised to see that it was common. It sounds like a Raymond Chandler word, which is possibly where I learned it.  My second favo(u)rite twentieth century American author (after John Steinbeck).
MK

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: Tom44 on November 06, 2012, 04:33:53 AM

Also very common to me, but I am also N.American.  I have had the same problem in reverse.  I confess I don't understand all the criteria that goes into deciding whether a word is common or not, but I am aware that Alan works hard at it.  Mostly the common word thing just frustrates me because so often I miss what are really common words.

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: TRex on November 06, 2012, 01:07:18 PM

Quote from: Tom44 on November 06, 2012, 04:33:53 AM

Mostly the common word thing just frustrates me because so often I miss what are really common words.

Me too! If you figure out a solution, please share it!

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: mkenuk on November 06, 2012, 01:43:28 PM

Please do share any answer to this problem:
 Sunday: 'shrillest' - 1 short (stir); 'falsified' - 2 short, including 'lead';
 Monday: 'essential' - 1 short (sail)
Among words I missed last week were 'ending', 'clan' and 'pity'.
 Why?!!!!!!!!
MK

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: pat on November 06, 2012, 10:05:54 PM

With big puzzles I find that words come faster than I can type them at the start. Quite often words I miss are easy ones because I thought I'd already got them at the beginning.

Title: Re: "shill" - Challege 4 Nov.
Post by: Alan W on March 24, 2016, 12:39:41 PM

This word is now classed as rare.