Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
shanghai
verb
/ˈʃæŋ.ɡaɪ/
Definition
To forcibly enlist someone into a ship’s crew by means of coercion or deception.
Examples
- He was shanghaied into working on a fishing boat without any warning.
- They would shanghai unsuspecting sailors into joining their crew.
Meaning
The term originates from the practice of kidnapping men to work on ships, primarily during the 19th century, often involving dishonest methods.
Synonyms
- Kidnap
- Coerce
- Press-gang
