Meaning
- to spend money for something, particularly when the expense is unexpected and unwanted.
- to pay or hand over money, often reluctantly or for an amount considered excessive.
- to spend a significant sum of money, especially when it's unexpected or unwelcome.
- to disburse funds, typically for something viewed as overpriced or mandatory.
- to expend money, often in a context where the amount feels burdensome.
- to allocate financial resources, particularly in situations where the expenditure feels obligatory or unfair.
Example Sentences
- They had to shell out $50 for parking at the event.
- I'm not willing to shell out that much money for a pair of shoes.
- The company shelled out a huge sum for the new office building.
- We shelled out a small fortune for the wedding venue.
- You may have to shell out for a new laptop if this one can't be fixed.
Origin and History
The phrase "shell out," meaning to pay money, especially in a reluctant or significant amount, has an interesting etymological history. The term can be traced back to the analogy of removing seeds from their pods or shells. This action is metaphorically similar to extracting money from one's wallet, likening the act of disbursing funds to the process of removing the valuable inner part from a shell. This explanation aligns with the notion that money is often kept securely and must be "extracted" when needed, much like seeds from a pod.
Thieves' Cant and Slang OriginsAnother theory links "shell out" to the thieves' cant, where "shells" was slang for money. This usage dates back to the 16th century, specifically in the work " A notable discouery of coosenage " (1592) by Robert Greene, where "shells" referred to money in the context of pickpocketing. The association of "shells" with money might have influenced the later development of "shell out" as a term for paying.
Medical Terminology InfluenceInterestingly, the term also appears in medical texts from the late 19th century, where it described the removal of tumors or other growths. The phrase "shell out" in this context referred to the careful extraction of a growth, mirroring the carefulness often associated with spending money. This medical usage may have reinforced the financial connotation of the phrase, emphasizing the careful and sometimes reluctant nature of parting with one's resources.
Earliest Recorded UsageThe earliest recorded instance of "shell out" in the financial sense appears in the United States around the early 1800s. A notable example is from David Crockett's book " An account of Col. Crockett's Tour to the North and Down East " (1835), where it was used in the context of paying money. The phrase was further solidified in American English as it began appearing in various contexts, including political discussions and everyday transactions.
