v. The act of forced conscription into the British navy. Used most commonly in the 19th century, as a means of crewing warships. Also known as "impressment", it was a royally sanctioned activity that started with King Edward I.
Since most men were reluctant to join the navy due to low pay and the requirement of lifetime service, groups of 'press-gangs' would go around pubs on the coast of Britain, kidnapping men and forcing them into lifetime service. Anyone found in possession of the "King's shilling" was thought to be a loyal subject, and thus a candidate for the royal navy.
The press-gangs would travel to various pubs, and drop shillings into the beer mugs of hapless victims. When the victim got to the bottom of their beer, they would find the king's shilling, and the press-gang waiting for them outside to drag them off. Fancier pubs invented the glass bottomed beer mug so that their patrons could see if there was a king's shilling in the bottom, and refuse the drink.
Press-ganging was one of the factors leading to the war of 1812. Press gangs would land on the coast of America and would "accidentally" press-gang American civilians into navy service. Over 6000 American men were kidnapped in this manner in the early 1800s.
Since most men were reluctant to join the navy due to low pay and the requirement of lifetime service, groups of 'press-gangs' would go around pubs on the coast of Britain, kidnapping men and forcing them into lifetime service. Anyone found in possession of the "King's shilling" was thought to be a loyal subject, and thus a candidate for the royal navy.
The press-gangs would travel to various pubs, and drop shillings into the beer mugs of hapless victims. When the victim got to the bottom of their beer, they would find the king's shilling, and the press-gang waiting for them outside to drag them off. Fancier pubs invented the glass bottomed beer mug so that their patrons could see if there was a king's shilling in the bottom, and refuse the drink.
Press-ganging was one of the factors leading to the war of 1812. Press gangs would land on the coast of America and would "accidentally" press-gang American civilians into navy service. Over 6000 American men were kidnapped in this manner in the early 1800s.
Poor John Miller, he didn't come home - was probably a victim of press-ganging. I told him not to hang around the harbour!
by Markus Darkus September 29, 2005
Get the press-gangingmug. A good band, who have tons of great songs besides the one everyone heard on the radio. Some are just too stupid to look into more than the radio though.
the bloodhound gang are a hell of a lot funnier than that stupid ass homestar runner strong bad shit will ever be
by cock June 28, 2003
Get the bloodhound gangmug. Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang Gucci gang
by JockSlayer November 12, 2017
Get the Gucci Gangmug. A group of savage individuals who raid highly followed annoying people on the internet. All raids include something with the word bossman in it, lead by the great negusflex and edgyliveleak.
by Sticky Incest July 26, 2018
Get the Bossman gangmug. A semi-fictional criminal organization that has appeared in a few martial arts films. There was a real Axe Gang in Shanghai between the 1920's and 1940's. The Axe Gang deals with bribery, extortion, trafficking, casino, racketeering, smuggling, bootleg, prostitution, gambling, and piracy. The Axe Gang has control over the city of Shanghai and carry axes wherever they go. The are usually dressed in all black suits, vests, shoes, ties and some members even wear top hats. The Axe Gang is run in a way very similar to the Italian Mafia, Japanese Yakuza, and the Chinese Triads (Chinese Underground/Secret Society). These men are armed at all times and extremely dangerous. Gangs that are very similar to the Axe Gang have been appearing in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Person 1: Hey loser, do you know you look like a total idiot in that top hat?
Axe Gang Member: Do you know what an axe looks like when it's chucked in your skull?
Person 1: In a matter of fact, I think that hat is pretty cool now. I want one too...
Axe Gang Member: Do you know what an axe looks like when it's chucked in your skull?
Person 1: In a matter of fact, I think that hat is pretty cool now. I want one too...
by DjAsianTech November 6, 2010
Get the Axe Gangmug. Almighty is a “gang” of want to be tough guy ghetto kids from Huntington Station, NY. Aka- The Station. This want to be “gang” is made up of kids from Walt Whitman High School, Huntington High School and a few other areas in the region. This want to be “gang” is ran by Richie Valentine, a 19 year old who thinks he’s cool for selling drugs and hooking up with 13 year olds. You can spot Richie by his numerous amounts of tattoos. Especially his face tatoo that says “Mob.” These kids love to jump little white boys and take videos of it and post it to make themselves look cool. Even though they’re not and they won’t go anywhere in life.
by Idjdjdjjdndkdjdkdkdkdkdkkdjdn February 27, 2019
Get the Almighty Gangmug. A group of adolescent teenage African boys originating from Maryland. They only recruit before October 10th each year but few are accepted.
It's an EXCLUSIVE group that carries so much swag from Vans to vintage sweaters to thrift store underwear.
In their free time they go to the Town Center, look at titties, get their wombos sucked, and kill goats to eat for dinner.
The females of this group are called "Cheetah Girls" but as of today, no females are in it.
Common words used among this group are "heem", "swag", "smang", and "swank".
CHEETAH GANG OR WIFE $5 ALEX.
It's an EXCLUSIVE group that carries so much swag from Vans to vintage sweaters to thrift store underwear.
In their free time they go to the Town Center, look at titties, get their wombos sucked, and kill goats to eat for dinner.
The females of this group are called "Cheetah Girls" but as of today, no females are in it.
Common words used among this group are "heem", "swag", "smang", and "swank".
CHEETAH GANG OR WIFE $5 ALEX.
Akata: Aye man can I join Cheetah Gang?
CG Member: My friend! Are you daft?! FOOL, GERROUT OF MY SIGHT.
Woman: Heyyyy, um *twirls hair, bites lip* can I join Cheetah Gang?
CG Member: Show me dem titties first! SIKE, WE ARE AN ALL SAUSAGE GROUP, YOU AIN'T BOUDDA GET IT. But still show me yo titties tho.
CG Member: My friend! Are you daft?! FOOL, GERROUT OF MY SIGHT.
Woman: Heyyyy, um *twirls hair, bites lip* can I join Cheetah Gang?
CG Member: Show me dem titties first! SIKE, WE ARE AN ALL SAUSAGE GROUP, YOU AIN'T BOUDDA GET IT. But still show me yo titties tho.
by ZooKeeperCheetahz October 23, 2011
Get the Cheetah Gangmug.