Mom once admitted in a moment of exasperation that she felt "shanghai-ed" into the move from her home to the retirement apartment at Merrill Gardens. I've never forgotten her use of this expression. At the time, I understood by context what she meant but it wasn't until this past weekend that I looked up the origin of the word. Mary Margaret and I have had some interesting talks about Mom as we've worked like dogs sorting through all the treasures, family memorabilia, and outright junk at their former home this past week. An emotional journey to be sure.
Right about now, I'm feeling a bit "shanghai-ed" myself. I don't relish another hard day at the task and would much rather lie in bed writing and reading and surfing the internet.
From on line Miriam Webster Dictionary:
Definition of SHANGHAI
transitive verb
1
a : to put aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor or a drug b : to put by force or threat of force into or as if into a place of detention
2
: to put by trickery into an undesirable position
Origin of SHANGHAI
Shanghai, China; from the former use of this method to secure sailors for voyages to eastern Asia
First Known Use: 1871
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