Bangs

I came across a reference to the word shebang in my various studies and was surprised at the usage and meaning it had. I had a difficult time finding other mention of that same meaning,but out of curiosity kept digging. In the Civil War prisoners were faced with making do with little or nothing,for shelter they constructed dwelling known as shebangs. They were made from whatever materials they could find including cloth,mud,tree limbs and brush. Though little known today,this was the original meaning of the word shebang. It was apparently derived from shebeen (Scottish) and Seibin (Irish) meaning temporary shelter. Around that same time (1862) it was also used to mean a rented coach or carriage. In dictionaries only the modern definition is found "the whole shebang" meaning "all parts of". It is also yet another term for the dreaded hashtag!