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Shellac

/ʃəˈlæk/noun / verb
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Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the lac insect, commonly used as a glossy varnish or sealant in woodworking, furniture finishing, and even early phonograph records. Beyond its practical applications, the term has evolved in modern slang to mean decisively defeating someone, as in a competition or argument, adding a playful layer to its historical roots.

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Shellac was the go-to material for manufacturing gramophone records from the 1890s until the 1950s, with over 100 billion records produced, including hits by artists like Bing Crosby, which helped popularize radio and home music listening worldwide.

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