1. Like calling someone ignorant
2. Often said in reference to something specific, the person saying this phrase is expressing that they don't think the subject of their complaint knows what they are talking about, or doesn't know what they are doing or that they don't know anything at all
3. Same as the phrase: "You don't know your ass from a hole in the ground"

Etymology:

  • Shinola was originally a brand of shoe polish or boot polish. The analogy of knowing shit from Shinola refers to the idea that someone wouldn't know the difference between the polish on their boot from shit on their boot
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When I was slicing a roast improperly, my dad took over and sliced against the grain, and said, "You don't know shit from Shinola"

Submitted on April 04, 2020

Modified by TriplePurple on December 01, 2023

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    "you don't know shit from shinola." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/you-don't-know-shit-from-shinola_62182>.

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