The correct spelling is shoo-in, usually with a hyphen. It has been known in that spelling and with the meaning of a certain winner from the 1930s. It came from horse racing, where a shoo-in was the winner of a rigged race.
In turn that seems to have come from the verb shoo, meaning to drive a person or an animal in a given direction by making noises or gestures
These day's the term is associated with short odd's favourites in any sport
In turn that seems to have come from the verb shoo, meaning to drive a person or an animal in a given direction by making noises or gestures
These day's the term is associated with short odd's favourites in any sport
by TheDaddy May 03, 2007
Another meaning for them in the UK is that ex prisoners have swallows tattooed on their hands or wrists to prove they have served their time, as in they have done their bird.
Man A: They let you out then
Man B: Shows hands and says Yes I've done my bird
Man A: Oh yes you have swallow tattoos
Man B: Shows hands and says Yes I've done my bird
Man A: Oh yes you have swallow tattoos
by TheDaddy May 06, 2012
Always resist the urge to shalaye
by Thedaddy April 14, 2020