Shiv vs. Shank: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Shiv is a homemade knife or blade, often used in prisons; shank refers to the part of a tool or object connecting the handle to a working end, or a leg part.
Key Differences
Shiv, often associated with prisons, is a term for a homemade knife or blade used as a weapon. Shank refers to a part of an object or tool that connects the handle to the working end, or anatomically, it's the part of the lower leg.
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Nov 13, 2023
Shiv is commonly used in the context of improvised weapons, particularly in prisons. Shank, while it can refer to a part of a weapon, is more broadly used to describe parts of tools, instruments, or the human body.
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Nov 13, 2023
A shiv is typically fashioned from materials available in restricted environments, like a piece of glass or metal. A shank in tools represents a specific part and is designed for durability and functionality.
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Shiv carries a connotation of illicit activity and survival in hostile environments. Shank, when not referring to tools, is often used in culinary contexts to describe a cut of meat from the leg of an animal.
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Nov 13, 2023
Shiv, as slang, has evolved in prison culture and varies regionally. Shank, on the other hand, has more stable definitions in various fields like carpentry, cooking, and anatomy.
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Nov 13, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A homemade knife or blade, often used in prisons
Part of a tool connecting the handle to the working end, or a leg part
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Context
Used in the context of improvised weapons
Refers to parts of tools, instruments, or anatomy
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Construction
Made from available materials in restricted settings
Designed part of a tool or anatomical term
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Connotations
Illicit activity, survival in hostile environments
Broad usage in tools, culinary arts, anatomy
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Linguistic Stability
Varied and slang-based
More stable and defined across fields
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Shiv and Shank Definitions
Shiv
An improvised blade created from everyday materials.
Inmates sometimes use a shiv for protection.
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Shank
The part of a tool connecting the handle to the working end.
The shank of the hammer was made of sturdy steel.
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Shiv
A makeshift stabbing weapon.
The guard found a shiv hidden in the cell.
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Shank
Anatomically, the part of the lower leg between the knee and ankle.
He suffered a fracture in the shank of his leg.
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Shiv
A homemade knife or weapon, often found in prisons.
He crafted a shiv out of a toothbrush and a razor blade.
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Shank
The long, narrow part of a nail or screw.
The shank of the nail bent under pressure.
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Shiv
A term used in prison culture for a homemade knife.
News of a shiv being found caused unrest in the prison.
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Shiv
A crude, often concealed, weapon.
He kept a shiv in his shoe for emergencies.
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Shiv
A knife, razor, or other sharp or pointed implement, especially one used as a weapon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shiv
A knife, especially a makeshift one fashioned from something not normally used as a weapon (like a plastic spoon or a toothbrush).
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Oct 19, 2023
Shiv
(by extension) To stab someone with anything not normally used as a stabbing weapon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
(Printing) The section of a body of type between the shoulder and the foot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
A piece of material, such as metal, that is used to reinforce or shape this part of a shoe.
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Shank
A projection, such as a ring, on the back of a button by which it is sewn to cloth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
The part of a tool, such as a drill, that connects the functioning head to the handle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
The early or primary part of a period of time
The shank of the evening.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
(Slang) A knife or other sharp, pointed implement, especially one that has been fashioned from something else; a shiv.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
To hit (a golf ball) with the heel of the club, causing the ball to veer in the wrong direction.
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Shank
A redshank or greenshank, various species of Old World wading birds in the genus Tringa having distinctly colored legs.
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Shank
A straight, narrow part of an object, such as a key or an anchor; shaft; stem.
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Shank
The center part of a fishhook between the eye and the hook, the 'hook' being the curved part that bends toward the point.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
The metal part on a curb bit that falls below the mouthpiece, which length controls the severity of the leverage action of the bit, and to which the reins of the bridle are attached.
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Shank
(golf) A poorly played golf shot in which the ball is struck by the part of the club head that connects to the shaft.
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Shank
(metalworking) A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it.
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Shank
(shoemaking) The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel.
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Shank
Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round.
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Shank
The main part or beginning of a period of time.
The shank of the morning
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Shank
(slang) To remove another's trousers, especially in jest; to depants.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
To misstrike the ball with the part of the club head that connects to the shaft.
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Shank
(intransitive) To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; usually followed by off.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
(shoemaking) To apply the shank to a shoe, during the process of manufacturing it.
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Shank
The part of the leg from the knee to the foot; the shin; the shin bone; also, the whole leg.
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wideFor his shrunk shank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
Hence, that part of an instrument, tool, or other thing, which connects the acting part with a handle or other part, by which it is held or moved.
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Shank
A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it.
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Shank
The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
A wading bird with long legs; as, the green-legged shank, or knot; the yellow shank, or tattler; - called also shanks.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; - usually followed by off.
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Oct 19, 2023
Shank
A cut of meat (beef or veal or mutton or lamb) from the upper part of the leg
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Shank
The narrow part of the shoe connecting the heel and the wide part of the sole
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Shank
Lower part of the leg extending from the hock to the fetlock in hoofed mammals
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Shank
Hit (a golf ball) with the heel of a club, causing the ball to veer in the wrong direction
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Shank
A cut of meat from the leg of an animal.
Lamb shank is often slow-cooked for tenderness.
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Shank
The stem or main part of a key.
The shank of the key was intricately designed.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a shiv?
A shiv is a homemade knife or blade, often used as a weapon in prisons.
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Nov 13, 2023
What does shank mean?
Shank can refer to the part of a tool connecting the handle to its working end or the part of the lower leg.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is a shank part of a weapon?
Shank can be part of a weapon, but it more broadly refers to parts of various tools or anatomy.
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How is a shiv made?
A shiv is made from available materials, such as pieces of metal, glass, or hard plastic.
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What are common uses of a shank in tools?
In tools, a shank is the part that connects the handle to the working end, like in a drill or hammer.
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What is a lamb shank?
Lamb shank is a cut of meat from the lower part of a lamb's leg.
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Are shivs legal?
Shivs are typically considered illegal, as they are improvised weapons.
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What does a shoe shank refer to?
A shoe shank refers to a piece of material that provides support between the insole and outsole.
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Can shiv be used as a verb?
Yes, in slang, "shiv" can be used as a verb meaning to stab with a shiv.
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Is shiv only used in prison contexts?
While most commonly used in prison contexts, shiv can be used in other settings to describe improvised weapons.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can shiv refer to a regular knife?
No, shiv specifically refers to an improvised or homemade weapon.
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Where did the term shiv originate?
The term shiv originated from prison slang and has uncertain etymology.
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Are shank and shiv interchangeable?
No, they are not interchangeable as they refer to different things.
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What is the importance of a tool shank?
The shank in a tool provides stability and support, connecting the handle to the working part.
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Why is shiv a common term in prison narratives?
Shiv is common in prison narratives due to its association with self-made weapons in a restrictive environment.
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Does the shank of a key have a specific function?
Yes, the shank of a key is the part that is inserted into the lock, containing the necessary shape and grooves to operate it.
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What is the anatomical significance of the shank?
In anatomy, the shank is the part of the lower leg between the knee and ankle.
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Is the creation of a shiv considered resourceful?
In the context of prisons, creating a shiv can be seen as a resourceful act for protection or aggression.
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How are shivs concealed?
Shivs are often concealed in clothing, shoes, or other personal items.
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How is a shank used in culinary terms?
In culinary terms, a shank refers to a cut of meat from the leg of an animal, often slow-cooked.
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Nov 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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