shuck

Everyday

1. (verb, mainly US) To remove the outer covering of corn, peas, beans or oysters: shuck corn. tree →
2. (noun) An outer covering, like a husk or pod. tree →
3. (verb, informal) To take off clothes or get rid of something: "He shucked off his coat." tree →
4. (interjection, US, old-fashioned) "Shucks!" or "Aw, shucks" shows mild disappointment or shyness at praise. tree →
5. In old Southern dialect, shuck can mean to shake or shrug something quickly, like a lion shaking its mane. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life in North America, people shuck corn (remove the husks) before cooking it, and chefs shuck oysters. "Aw, shucks" is a shy, folksy thing to say when someone praises you, often in old films or cartoons. Phrases: shuck corn, shuck oysters, shuck off, aw shucks.

Examples

• We shucked the corn before putting it in the pot. tree →
• The chef shucked a dozen oysters. tree →
• He shucked off his wet jacket. tree →
• "Aw, shucks, it was nothing," said the cowboy. tree →
• Peel the shucks off the corn cobs. tree →
• Shucks! I missed the bus again. tree →
• En w'en de Lion shuck his mane, en tuck his seat in de big cheer, den de sesshun begun fer ter commence. tree →

Note

Mostly American English. Past form: shucked. "Shucks" as an interjection is gentle, not rude.