SHIFTY

PRONUNCIATION: (SHIF-tee)

MEANING: adjective:
1. Evasive; untrustworthy.
2. Changing directions frequently.
3. Resourceful: able to accomplish what needs done.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old English sciftan (to arrange or divide). Earliest documented use: 1570.
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SHAFTY - nickname for Bobby who went to sea, silver buckles at his knee

SHOFTY - a donor, generous and well-meaning and easily touched, but drunk

SHRIFTY - inclined to hear confession, assign a penance, and then absolve