sling1

[sling] /slɪŋ/
noun
1.
a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.
2.
a slingshot.
3.
a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.
4.
a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.
5.
sling-back.
6.
an act or instance of slinging.
7.
a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.
8.
Nautical.
  1. a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.
  2. slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.
verb (used with object), slung, slinging.
9.
to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.
10.
to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.
11.
to raise, lower, etc., by such means.
12.
to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely:
to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.
13.
to suspend:
to sling a hammock between two trees.
Idioms
14.
sling hash, Slang. to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.
Origin
1175-1225; (v.) Middle English slyngen < Old Norse slyngva to sling, fling, cognate with Old English slingan to wind, twist; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the v., though sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct orig.
Synonyms
9. pitch, toss.
British Dictionary definitions for sling hash

sling1

/slɪŋ/
noun
1.
a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly
2.
a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted
3.
a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo
4.
(nautical)
  1. a halyard for a yard
  2. (often pl) the part of a yard where the sling is attached
5.
(med) a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body
6.
a loop or band attached to an object for carrying
7.
(mountaineering) a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc
8.
the act of slinging
verb slings, slinging, slung
9.
(transitive) to hurl with or as if with a sling
10.
to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)
11.
(transitive) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling: to sling washing from the line
12.
(informal) to throw
13.
(intransitive) (Austral, informal) to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip
Derived Forms
slinger, noun
Word Origin
C13: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slyngva to hurl, Old High German slingan

sling2

/slɪŋ/
noun
1.
a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened
Word Origin
C19: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for sling hash

sling

n.

c.1300, "implement for throwing stones," from an unidentified continental Germanic source (e.g. Middle Low German slinge "a sling"); see sling (v.). The notion probably is of a sling being twisted and twirled before it is thrown. Sense of "loop for lifting or carrying heavy objects" first recorded early 14c. Meaning "piece of cloth tied around the neck to support an injured arm" is first attested 1720.

sweetened, flavored liquor drink, 1807, American English, of unknown origin; perhaps literally "to throw back" a drink (see sling (v.)), or from German schlingen "to swallow."

"act of throwing," 1520s, from sling (v.).

v.

c.1200, "to knock down" using a sling, later "to throw" (mid-13c.), especially with a sling, from Old Norse slyngva, from Proto-Germanic *slingwanan (cf. Old High German slingan, German schlingen "to swing to and fro, wind, twist;" Old English slingan "to creep, twist;" Old Frisian slinge, Middle Dutch slinge, Old High German slinga, German Schlinge "sling;" Middle Swedish slonga "noose, knot, snare"), from PIE *slengwh "to slide, make slide; sling, throw." Meaning "to hang from one point to another" (as a hammock) is from 1690s. Related: Slung; slinging.

sling hash in Medicine

sling (slĭng)
n.
A supporting bandage or suspensory device, especially a loop suspended from the neck and supporting the flexed forearm.

Slang definitions & phrases for sling hash

sling hash

verb phrase

To work as a waiter or waitress: I used to sling their hash/ She slung hash for a couple of weeks (1906+)


sling

verb

To sell narcotics; deal: gang-bangers make careers of slingin' 'caine/ I caught my first case for slinging (selling) drugs (1990s+ Narcotics)

Related Terms

have one's ass in a sling


sling hash in the Bible

With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMS.) The words in Prov. 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

Idioms and Phrases with sling hash

sling hash

Serve food in a restaurant, especially a cheap establishment. For example, The only job she could find was slinging hash in the neighborhood diner. This term alludes to the inelegant presentation and nature of the food, in effect, tossing hash before a customer. [ ; mid-1800s ]

sling

also see:
ass in a sling
Encyclopedia Article for sling hash

sling

implement for propelling missiles, one of the first missile weapons used in warfare. It consisted of a small strap or socket of leather to which two cords were attached. The warrior, or slinger, held the ends of the cords in one hand, placed the missile snugly in the strap, and whirled the socket and missile rapidly around his head; by letting go of one cord at the right moment, the slinger could let the missile fly out of the socket at a high speed. In another type, the sling was attached to a short staff that was held in both hands; it was used for heavier missiles, especially in siege operations during the European Middle Ages.

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