"dance, party, lively gathering," 1871, probably from shindy "a spree, merrymaking" (1821), also "a game like hockey;" perhaps from shinty, name of a Scottish game akin to hockey (1771), earlier shinny (see shinny (n.)).
A party, reception, festival, etc, esp a noisy dancing party; clambake
[1871+; probably fr shin dig, ''a blow on the shin incurred while dancing,'' found by 1859; perhaps by folk etymology fr the older shindy]