411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
King's shilling
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
Alternative forms
en Queen's shilling during reigns when the monarch is a queen regnant
Noun
King's shilling en military
en Britain historical A shilling accepted by new recruits when agreeing to or tricked into enlisting into the British army or navy during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Strife in Love 182 I have taken the King's shilling, but perhaps if you came for me they would let me go back with you. I was a fool when I did it. I don't want to be in the army.
en figurative The benefits and rewards of military service.
Related terms
en take the shilling
See also
en one of His Majesty's bad bargains
Further reading
queen’s shilling 2502827003 shilling n 5047572627 September 2023
take the King's shilling take the King’s shilling phrase
en Coins