yardbird

[ yahrd-burd ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a convict or prisoner.
2. an army recruit.
3. a soldier confined to camp and assigned to cleaning the grounds or other menial tasks as punishment for violation of the rules.

yardbird

/ ˈjɑːdˌbɜːd /

noun

1. military an inexperienced, untrained, or clumsy soldier, esp one employed on menial duties

Word History and Origins

Origin of yardbird¹

1940–45, Americanism; yard ² + bird, by analogy with jailbird

Example Sentences

He declared Jackson’s “the finest fried chicken shack in the known universe” and called its famous fried yardbird “God’s own fried chicken.”

From Washington Times

This week’s nicely packaged menu features smoked catfish with rye crackers, yardbird chicken with captain sauce, and devil’s food cake.

From New York Times

Smith writes about yardbird intellects, refugees from good taste and urban ease; her characters are shabby-genteel with the gentility knob turned down pretty low.

From New York Times

“There is no name for this thing that you’ve become,” he writes: “Convict, prisoner, inmate, lifer, yardbird, all fail.”

From New York Times

But there is always that one child, who down deep is an unwavering, totally committed yardbird enthusiast.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• convict
• crook
• culprit
• felon
• fugitive
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• lawbreaker
• mobster
• offender
• thug