yardbird

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See also: yard bird

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From yard +‎ bird. Attested since 1956 in the sense of ‘convict,’ derived from the idea of prison yards. During World War II, it meant ‘basic trainee’ among the armed forces.[1]

Pronunciation

Noun

yardbird (plural yardbirds)

  1. (chiefly US, slang) A chicken.
  2. (chiefly US, slang) A person who is imprisoned.
    • 1985, John P. Conrad, “Charting a Course for Imprisonment Policy,”, in Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, volume 478, page 126:
      The working convict is a rare exception, sometimes envied because his time is occupied, sometimes derided for his deviance from the yardbird norm.
  3. (chiefly US, slang) A soldier who is required to perform menial work on the grounds of a military base.
    • 1943 July 5, “In the Rough”, in Time:
      As the Marines expanded to war strength, Lou Diamond was the ideal liaison between crusty old-timers and impressionable recruits. He taught quick action by threats of yardbird detail.

Translations

References

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “yardbird”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
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