skivers

Skiver is a term with several distinct meanings in English. In slang, a skiver is a person who avoids work or duty; to skive off means to shirk responsibilities. The word is common in British and Australian English and is typically used in informal contexts.

In Danish cuisine, æbleskiver are spherical pancake pastries often referred to in English as skivers. They are made in a special hemispherical pan and cooked until golden on the outside and fluffy inside. They are usually served warm with powdered sugar and jam or syrup. Typical batter includes flour, eggs, milk or buttermilk, and sometimes spices such as cardamom or vanilla.

In manufacturing and crafts, a skiver is a tool or machine used to thin or shave material, particularly leather or veneer. Leather skivers trim edge thickness to prepare pieces for assembly and finishing, and skiving can be performed by hand with a skiving knife or by powered equipment in industrial settings.

The term can also appear as a surname or in historical texts, though this usage is uncommon. Overall, skiver has multiple, unrelated senses across slang, food, and fabrication, linked only by the idea of removing or avoiding something in various contexts.