mean vs shoehorn

mean

verb
  • To have as intentions of a given kind. 

  • To be of some level of importance. 

  • To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation.https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/i_mean%20I%20mean 

  • To cause or produce (a given result); to bring about (a given result). 

  • Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify. 

  • To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says). 

  • Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude. 

  • To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine. 

  • To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention. 

  • To lament. 

  • To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea). 

noun
  • The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument. 

  • Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium. 

  • The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean. 

  • Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency. 

  • Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6. 

  • A method or course of action used to achieve some result. 

adj
  • Intending to cause harm, successfully or otherwise; bearing ill will towards another. 

  • Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby. 

  • Having the mean (see noun below) as its value; average. 

  • Disobliging; pettily offensive or unaccommodating. 

  • Ungenerous; stingy; tight-fisted. 

  • Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with. 

  • Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble. 

  • Of little value or worth; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable. 

  • Powerful; fierce; strong. 

  • Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base. 

  • Difficult, tricky. 

shoehorn

verb
  • To force (something) into (a tight space); to squeeze (something) into (a schedule, etc); to exert great effort to insert or include (something); to include (something) despite potent reasons not to. 

  • To use a shoehorn. 

  • To force some current event into alignment with some (usually unconnected) agenda, especially when it is fallacious. 

noun
  • A smooth tool that assists in putting the foot into a shoe, by sliding the heel in after the toe is in place. This reduces discomfort and damage to the back of the shoe. By slipping it into the back of the shoe behind the heel, the user prevents the heel from squashing down the back of the shoe and causing difficulty; instead the heel slides down the smooth shoehorn, which then comes out easily once the foot is in place. 

  • Anything by which a transaction is facilitated; a medium. 

How often have the words mean and shoehorn occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )