Talk:Shebeen

Untitled comment
Shebeen is also a Celtic-Rock band with quite a following in the U.S. as well as Ireland. They are not the folk group by the same name but rather a talented band that is pro-Irish freedom and expresses ther same in their songs. They are a band that is much more appreciated live and with a touch of whiskey!!! Spanky-Dallas

Term still used in Ireland
The way the article's written, it looks like "shebeen" is no longer used in the sense of an unlicensed bar. This BBC news page demonstrates that it's still used in Ireland. 81.158.1.136 (talk) 01:31, 20 June 2011 (UTC)

'Shebren'
Per this edit the obsolete Scottish term shebren, of similar meaning, has been introduced as though it were a variant of shebeen. There is no evidence for this, and from an etymological viewpoint it is unlikely, as the Scots Gaelic reflex of Irish sibín would normally be sibìn. Given the lack of evidence for any relationship with shebeen, together with the fact that the only attested occurrences of shebren date from the 1800s, the latter term has no place in this article. If shebren is notable as an archaic legal term, then it may be appropriate to make its own article. --gråb whåt you cån (talk) 11:40, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Meaning of "Sibín"
No comment on the word "Shebren", but the word "Sibín" certainly does not mean illicit whiskey. The reference given, to dictionary.com, mentions the true origin: "Small mug". The suffix '-ín" is diminutive in Irish. 83.70.170.48 (talk) 11:24, 24 October 2012 (UTC)


 * You are confusing origin and meaning. In dictionary.com here, we read: Origin: 1780–90; < Irish síbín  illicit whiskey, place where such whiskey is sold (ellipsis from teach síbín  shebeen house), while the Ó Dónail reference defines sibín as fuisce neamhdhleathach; teach ól gan cheadúnas (illicit whisky; unlicensed drinking house). Where the Irish word sibín has its etymology is beyond the scope of this article. I've reverted your edit. --gråb whåt you cån (talk) 12:26, 24 October 2012 (UTC)

Cultural roll
The cultural roll of the shebeen in South Africa is overromantisized in this article, I would think. But if a place to make small talk and get drunk is a cultural asset, then so be it. Mieliestronk (talk) 21:24, 28 June 2014 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Shebeen. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20070810101927/http://www.chico.mweb.co.za:80/mg/saarts/pop-shebeens1.htm to http://www.chico.mweb.co.za/mg/saarts/pop-shebeens1.htm/

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Cheers.—cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 16:35, 8 January 2016 (UTC)

short description
The "short description" that I proffered was "a presumably illicit drinking establishment; a speakeasy" . responded ""presumably illicit" is not correct" I take exception.

Let's get some definitions:
 * shebeen: an unlicensed establishment or private house selling alcoholic liquor and typically regarded as slightly disreputable
 * illicit: forbidden by law, rules, or custom
 * speakeasy: an illicit liquor store or nightclub

I'm going to infer that "unlicensed" implies that a license is required, and hence an "unlicensed" establishment is illicit. A shebeen might or might not be in actual violation of law, but it leaves the impression that it is operating outside the law. Same thing, btw, if some establishment is referred to as a "speakeasy' ... Prohibition is over, but a modern-day "licit" speakeasy should be attempting to mimic the atmosphere of a speakeasy from the prohibition era.

Now one more definition:
 * presumably: used to convey that what is asserted is very likely though not known for certain

It's merely a "short description", there is no expectation that this will precisely define the topic, but should, in a few words, provide the reader with an appropriate impression of the topic, e.g. not that a shebeen is necessarily illicit, but there may be some room for doubt. Fabrickator (talk) 21:15, 14 January 2022 (UTC)

How can something spread from Ireland to the UK?
The lede states "The term has spread far from its origins in Ireland, to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, the English-speaking Caribbean, Namibia, Malawi, and South Africa." How can it spread from Ireland to the UK when Ireland is already part of the UK? Fabrickator (talk) 23:10, 14 January 2022 (UTC)