Shaved Knuckle in the Hole

A shaved knuckle was a way of cheating in a game of knuckles, where you shaved a corner of a knuckle to change the outcome.
The expression was frequently used by Fiddler, Kalam Mekhar and Quick Ben. "The hole" was a reference to Quick Ben's Warren, which could put him at Kalam's side in a number of seconds. The Shaved Knuckle in the Hole was a way of cheating whoever was endangering Kalam by introducing Quick Ben to the scene.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 1, UK MMPB p.63
==In Deadhouse Gates==
Fiddler and Kalam travelled to Seven Cities to find a way to Unta, the Malazan imperial capital, without attracting attention. Quick Ben remained on Genabackis, but could join them at a moment's notice as their shaved knuckle.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 1Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11
Later, Empress Laseen told Kalam that High Mage Tayschrenn was Dujek Onearm's shaved knuckle on Genabackis.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 23
==In The Bonehunters==
Bottle justified his spying on Fiddler through the rat, Y'Ghatan, by claiming he was merely positioning himself as Fiddler's shaved knuckle in the hole.The Bonehunters, Chapter 22
Kalam counted on Quick Ben to serve as his shaved knuckle in the hole when the Bonehunters returned to Malaz City, but Shadowthrone intervened leaving Kalam to face Pearl and the pursuing Claw on his own.The Bonehunters, Chapter 23
After the Bonehunters fled Malaz City, Shadowthrone confronted Tayschrenn over his agreement to serve as Quick Ben's shaved knuckle in the hole.The Bonehunters, Epilogue
==In Dust of Dreams and The Crippled God==
Bottle was also referred to as "A Shaved Knuckle in the Hole" in Dust of Dreams and The Crippled God.
==Notes and references==
Category:Culture
Category:Glossary