How Do You Spell SHELLACKS?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɛlaks] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "shellacks" is often a source of confusion. It is actually pronounced as "shuh-laks" (IPA: ʃəˈlæks) with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word is a verb that means to administer a resounding defeat or to beat soundly. "Shellacks" is the plural form of "shellac," which is a resinous substance used for surface coating in varnishes, paints and polishes. So, the next time you come across this word, remember to stress the "shuh" and not the "lacks"!

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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SHELLACKS Meaning and Definition

  1. Shellacks is a verb that refers to the act of defeating someone decisively or completely, often in a competition or contest. It is used to convey the idea of a thorough and overwhelming victory. The term is derived from the noun "shellac," which originally referred to a type of resinous substance derived from the secretion of the lac insect. In the context of human competition, the verb "shellacks" has come to be associated with the notion of completely dominating an opponent, leaving no chance for recovery or comeback.

    When someone "shellacks" another person or team, it implies that the defeat was so comprehensive and one-sided that the losing side had no chance of success. This word is commonly used in sports to describe a team being thoroughly outplayed or soundly beaten by their opponents. Additionally, it can also be used in non-sporting contexts, such as debates, elections, or other competitive situations, to indicate a clear and overwhelming defeat.

    The term "shellacks" emphasizes the overpowering nature of the victory, suggesting that the losing side was left metaphorically covered in a layer of resin, unable to escape or recover. It vividly conveys the idea of being thoroughly defeated and serves to emphasize the dominance of the winning party.

Common Misspellings for SHELLACKS

  • shellak
  • shuellacs
  • shellacs
  • sheellacs
  • shellaks
  • ahellacks
  • zhellacks
  • xhellacks
  • dhellacks
  • ehellacks
  • whellacks
  • sgellacks
  • sbellacks
  • snellacks
  • sjellacks
  • suellacks
  • syellacks
  • shwllacks
  • shsllacks
  • shdllacks

Etymology of SHELLACKS

The word "shellac" comes from the French word "chicale" (pronounced shee-kahl), which means "sticky substance" or "lac resin". This French term is derived from the Sanskrit word "lākṣā", which means "lump" or "resin". The resinous substance obtained from the secretions of the lac insect was traditionally used to make shellac. Over time, the word "shellac" came to be used as a verb "shellacking" or "shellacked" to describe the process of applying shellac or covering something with a shellac-like finish.

Infographic

Correct spelling for shellacks
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