shindig

Shindig is one of those English words with a perfectly clear meaning and a perfectly murky origin. It appeared in American English around 1859, meaning a noisy dance or party. The leading theory connects it to 'shin' + 'dig' — a kick in the shins, the kind of injury you might receive at a crowded, energetic dance. Another theory links it to the Scots-Irish word shinty (a sport resembling field hockey), which was also used to describe a loud commotion.

The word may also be connected to 'shindy,' a slightly older American slang term (attested from 1821) meaning a commotion, a row, or a noisy party. Shindy itself has unclear origins — possibly from shinty, possibly from a nautical term. Shindig may be an alteration of shindy. The chain of uncertain etymologies links words that all mean roughly the same thing: loud, energetic gatherings where people might get kicked.

By the early twentieth century, shindig had settled into informal American English as a word for a party — less formal than a gala, less wild than a bacchanalia, more fun than a reception. It implies music, dancing, and a good time. The word has a physical energy that 'party' and 'gathering' lack. You can feel the dance floor in the syllables.

Shindig had a brief moment of national prominence as the title of a 1964-66 ABC television show featuring rock and roll performances. The show introduced acts like the Rolling Stones and James Brown to American audiences. The title was perfect: shindig was the right word for loud, energetic music in a crowded room. The television show is forgotten. The word is not.