getting something for nothing, especially if it involves using a government expense account
The definition pertains to the recent legislative expense scandal in Nova Scotia, Canada, when dozens of legislators were found with their hands in the cookie jar. Richard Hurlburt resigned after admitting to installing a generator and big screen TV in his house using his government expense account.
Hey man, by hurlburting a bit, I got a free generator, big-screen TV and security system at my pad.
Verb - When someone stubbornly refuses to wake up in the morning, and is incapable of recognizing the implications of being tardy and blames their lateness on other individuals.
A Shackteau is a humble, weather-beaten, structurally questionable shelter located in a spectacular or highly coveted place—Wales, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Crested Butte, coastal Maine, the Alps—where the building itself may be worth almost nothing, but the dirt, view, access, and mythology make it absurdly valuable.
In use:
Shackteâu - We thought it was an abandoned shed until the realtor called it a rare alpine Shackteâu with unobstructed views and listed it for $2 million.