answersLogoWhite

0

I think the phrase comes from a Ralph Ellison short story by the name of "Battle Royal." The exact quote is: "Bring up the shines, gentlemen! Bring up the little shines!" It appears to me to be a derogatory name for African Americans. This short story was expanded and became the novel, "The Invisible Man." I do not know if the word "shines" was used in that novel.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?