"shill" - Challege 4 Nov.

[drs]

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?

[ada]

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

[ensiform]

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

[drs]

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

[anonsi]

I've never heard of it.

[mkenuk]

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

[Tom44]

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.

[TRex]

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!

[mkenuk]

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

[pat]

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.

[Alan W]

This word is now classed as rare.