(US & Canadian, Austral) a promissory note on brittle paper, issued by an individual
Word Origin
C19: so called because of its resemblance to a sticking plaster
Word Origin and History for shinplaster
n.
also shin-plaster, piece of paper soaked in vinegar and used to treat sore legs, from shin (n.) + plaster (n.). In U.S. history, jocularly or as a term of abuse for "devalued low-denomination paper currency" (1824).