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Shebeen

2 stages from Irish to English.

Today it means an unlicensed bar, especially in Ireland, Scotland or South Africa

Where does the word "shebeen" come from? It comes from Irish síbín, adopted directly into English (1780s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
síbín
Irish · 1700s
"illicit drinking house"
origin disputed, perhaps from séibe 'mug, measure'; these unlicensed drinking dens often sold untaxed poitín
2
Stage 2 of 2
shebeen
English · 1780s
"unlicensed bar"
carried abroad by Irish emigrants; in South Africa, township shebeens such as those of Soweto served Black drinkers, who were barred from buying 'white' liquor legally until the law changed in 1961
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Shebeen’s story begins in Irish: síbín meant “illicit drinking house.” Origin disputed, perhaps from séibe 'mug, measure'; these unlicensed drinking dens often sold untaxed poitín. It reached English by 1780s as shebeen. Carried abroad by Irish emigrants; in South Africa, township shebeens such as those of Soweto served Black drinkers, who were barred from buying 'white' liquor legally until the law changed in 1961. Today, shebeen means an unlicensed bar, especially in Ireland, Scotland or South Africa.