The English word shebang dates from the mid-1800s and is only preserved in this idiom. A shebang was originally a shanty or small and crude hut or shed made of boards. It’s origin is unclear.
Meaning of Idiom ‘The Whole Shebang’
The whole shebang means everything; all the elements of something; every thing that is included in something; the entire affair; the complete situation.
Similar idioms include the whole nine yards, the whole enchilada, the whole ball of wax and the whole shooting match.
Sentence Examples
“Last night we had a tempest, a real guster that blew down the whole shebang.”
“My father sold his business, the whole shebang, to some big company. He always told me I would take over.”
“I saw all the big tourist attractions in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the whole shebang.”
“I’ll give you 50 bucks for the whole shebang, including the box.”
“We have a clean-room environment all set up. EDS suits, a particulate air filtration system, the whole shebang.” — National Treasure (2004)
“A huge international shipment’s coming. We’ve got the time, the place and the whole shebang.” — The Untouchables (1987)
“I’m going to need a new passport, photo ID, driver’s license, the whole shebang. Can you do that for me?” — Training Day (2001)
“It’s all right. We’re set up to handle this now. according to TW Pharma attorney Alan Cowan. AP, Reuters, major newspapers, trade journals, the whole shebang.” — Carnage (2012)
“Hashslinger, why are you standing there so high and mighty?” “He’s running this here meeting, or hadn’t you heard? The whole shebang.” — The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
“When we get that done, we oughta be able to start operating moving those heavy slabs and stones so the whole shebang doesn’t come crashing in on us… and on him.” — Ace in the Hole (1951)
“There’s Don Hector Rocha y Villareal. Owns this whole shebang. One of the last great ranches in Mexico.” — All the Pretty Horses (2000)
“You should’ve got here earlier. l had everything. Liter bottles, potato chips, the whole shebang.” — House Party (1990)
“It’s hard to say, but there’s more in that first kiss with someone new than there is in the whole shebang after four years.” — Scenic Route (2013)
Origin
The whole shebang has been used since the mid to late 1800s and is first seen in print in 1869.It was often was used to describe complete groups of people, e.g. ‘the whole shebang of them,’ a sense that has been lost today.
The fossil word shebang originally referred to a small hut, shed, or shelter or any such humble dwelling of a temporary nature. It may have been a corruption of shebeen meaning tavern. Shebang is said to have been made popular by soldiers during the US Civil War.
Several origins are proposed and cross-fertilization or conflation may have occured, making the origin of shebang more uncertain. A popular notion is that the word was a corruption of the French cabane, meaning a hut, as well as a mispronunciation of char-à-banc, a bus-like wagon with many seats. 1Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of shebang.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/shebang. Accessed 25 September, 2024.,2“shebang.” Wiktionary. 19 Aug 2024, 00:53 UTC. 25 Sep 2024, 06:34 <https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=shebang&oldid=81176300>.