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The British army wage, formerly, a shilling a day.
Earn the King's Shilling, lad.
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Verb: Present Continuous
Gay Slang
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries the Naval forces of England suffered from a lack of sailors. Consequently men were press-ganged into service. They were given drinks until drunk by recruiters, and when drunk the King's Shilling would be placed in their pocket whenceforth they would be cudgelled and taken semi-conscious aboard the ship. In the morning they were convinced that they had accepted the King's Shilling in good faith and had therefore been unarguably and indefinitely conscripted.
In gay terms: getting drunk and turning gay
"He woke up, after receiving the King's Shilling (he didn't know how), with a tremendous hangover. His partner DID know how.
Noun.
Historical definition:
During the Napoleonic wars, due to the lack of able seamen, sailors were recruited (press-ganged) by being paid a sign up fee - 1 King's Shilling.
Reluctant conscripts would be approached by one or more 'recruiters' who would ply them with alcohol until they were totally drunk. They would then hit them over the head with a 'cudgel' and place a King's Shilling in the drunkard's pocket. The inebriate would then be carried on board where they were woken up and convinced that they had joined in good faith. Any argument against the join would be discredited by the discovery of the King's Shilling.
Modern Usage
Discreet gay proposition.
Historical Usage
"I don't know what happened! I was approached by two sailors who got me pissed. Next thing I know I woke up 'in the navy' having received a King's Shilling into my pocket!"
Modern Usage:
"Hello young man, will you let me pay you into the Navy with a King's Shilling?"
OR
"I was only 21 when I received the King's Shilling!"
OR
"I've been approached but am yet to accept the King's Shilling!"