Shebang

/ʃəˈbæŋ/

(Pronounced: shuh-BANG)

🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

The meaning: The term shebang refers to the whole thing or the entirety of something, often used in informal contexts.

La signification: Le mot shebang fait référence à l'ensemble ou à la totalité de quelque chose, souvent utilisé dans un contexte informel.

Note: In computer programming, a shebang (e.g., '#!/bin/bash') refers to a character sequence indicating the interpreter for a script.

Word Analysis

In French

• Tout le bazar
• Tout le tremblement
• L'entièreté
• Tout le toutim

Synonyms

• The whole enchilada
• All that shit
• The whole caboodle
• The full shebang
• The works

Example: "She ordered the full shebang, including dessert and coffee."

Example Dialogue

Ntsu: "Are we setting up just the tent or the whole campsite?"
Leabua: "The whole shebang! Let's make it perfect for the weekend."
Ntsu: "Okey-doke, sounds like a plan."
Leabua: "I'll start with the grill, you handle the tent."
        

Etymology

Origin: The term "shebang" has an uncertain origin but gained popularity in 19th‐century America. It is believed to derive from the Irish and now also South‐African word "shebeen", meaning an unlicensed drinking establishment. Mark Twain also used it in his writings, contributing to its broader recognition. In computing, shebang refers to the '#!' character sequence at the start of script files, possibly a humorous blend of "sharp" and "bang" for the symbols.

Audience

The term shebang is versatile, used both in everyday language to refer to "everything" or "the entirety" and in technical settings like programming for script files.

When to use: In informal contexts, it's great for casual conversations or storytelling. In technical discussions, it is relevant to developers, programmers, or IT professionals discussing scripting or code interpreters.

Dictionary Meaning

Here's an official definition of shebang in the Cambridge Dictionary. Shebang is in fact any matter that concerns us now… for example something, or some business… especially in the phrase 'the whole shebang.'

News Snippet

"To outsiders the change in fortunes have become clear since last month, when Moon handed over day-to-day control of the whole shebang to his three American-educated sons."

Read the full article at The Daily Maverick

Extra! Extra!

For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, the phrase the whole shebang, watch @FluentExpr's video by clicking on the button below.

Watch the Video

WordReference

When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.

Here are some links to help you better navigate WordReference:
Forum discussion on today's word of the day.

English⇄English Forum–Discuss and learn about word usage.
English⇄French Forum–Explore translations and language nuances.
Synonyms⇄Antonyms Forum–Contextual variations, etc.

Common Idioms and Expressions

The whole shebang: Everything involved; the entirety.
Shebang line: In programming, a line at the top of a script indicating the interpreter to use.

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