verb
shanghai
To force or trick someone into service or an unwanted activity.
The captain shanghais an unwilling sailor into service.
Etymology
The verb takes the name of Shanghai, a destination associated with coerced sailors. It broadened from forced maritime service to tricking or forcing someone into other unwanted work.
More examples
- She joked that her friends had shanghaied her into organizing the party.
- The historical novel describes workers being shanghaied aboard a ship.
- He felt shanghaied into taking the extra shift.
Forms
shanghai · shanghais · shanghaied · shanghaiing
Similar words
- coerce
- Force someone through pressure or threats.
- press-gang
- Force into service, especially naval service.