I've always thought "shineola" was a) polishing the 'ol teacher's apple; b) a
really good spit polish. Of course we've always used (some 30+ years) the
saying, "Sh_t and shineola" which had a coupla meanings: 1) buttering someone
up before/after some spurious deed - a sort of Eddy Haskell thing but not so
depraved; 2) Good Grooming; as in getting ready to go steppin' out (cleaning
innards and outards - grease up the hair to a healthy shine, polish the
dancin' shoes).
Candy