or shimmey, subs. (colloquial).—A chemise. Also (Felsted) = a shirt: obsolete.
1837. MARRYAT, Snarleyyow; or The Dog Fiend, xliv. ‘We have nothing but petticoats here and SHIMMEYS.’ ‘Then what must I do?’ exclaimed Smallbones. ‘Oh, I see, your shirt is torn off your back. Well, Never mind, I’ll lend you a SHIMMEY.’
1841. E. G. PAIGE (‘Dow, Jr.’), Short Patent Sermons [BARTLETT]. As interesting a sight to me as a SHIMMEY in a wash-tub.
1851. E. Z. C. JUDSON (‘Ned Buntline’), Cruisings, Afloat and Ashore, 100, ‘Uncle Tommy’s Ghost.’ De ghost was nothing put one of Katy’s SHIMMEYS, pinned on a line to dry, and I was a darned fool to be scared py it, so I was.
