1809, back-formation from ramshackled, earlier ranshackled (1670s), alteration of ransackled, past participle of ransackle (see ransack). The word seems to have been Scottish.
Reading over this note to an American gentleman, he seemed to take alarm, lest the word ramshackle should be palmed on his country. I take it home willingly, as a Scotticism, and one well applied, as may be afterwards shown. [Robert Gourlay, "General Introduction to a Statistical Account of Upper Canada," London, 1822]
Jamieson's "Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language" (1825) has it as a noun meaning "thoughtless, ignorant fellow."
实用例句
1. They joined with a ramshackle alliance of other rebels.
他们和一个由其他反叛者草草拼凑成的同盟联起手来。
来自柯林斯例句
2. They entered the shop, which was a curious ramshackle building.
他们进了商店，那是幢年久失修的奇特建筑。
来自辞典例句
3. At the big ramshackle Baffles Hotel Rule dropped their bags.
鲁尔把他们的行李卸在庞大的摇摇欲坠的拉福尔斯旅馆里.
来自辞典例句
4. T - Bag and Self arrive at a ramshackle storefront church.
