DCHP-1 Online

Shiner [see 1960 quote] Hist.

• n. one of the many Irish laborers in Bytown [Ottawa] during the 1830's and 1840's, employed first in the building of the Rideau Canal and later as shantymen, (def. 1).

  See also: Ribbon-man  shantyman  Shiners' War  

  • 1835  Three of the Bytown shinners [sic] have been arrested for an attack on a female while picking berries.
  • 1836  The Bytown Society . . . gives an awful description of the intemperance of the town in summer, on account of the shanty men and raftsmen--last year denominated "shiners."
  • 1960  The term, "Shiner," has been variously described as derived from "cheneur" or "oakman," the black silk hats "shiners," worn by greenhorns arriving in Bytown, or from the newly-minted half crown coins with which the lumberers were paid.
  • 1964  Then the chances that Shiner and Canadien would be fighting on the street . . . were good indeed.