Backiebird

/ˈbæk.i.bɜːrd/ noun

Definition

A young animal, particularly a young bird, that still rides on its mother's back for transportation or protection, or figuratively someone who depends on others.

Etymology

Compound of 'backie' (back position) and 'bird.' This appears to be rare or dialectal, possibly emerging from observational terms for animal behavior in informal speech.

Kelly Says

Backiebird perfectly describes what baby birds, marsupials, and primates do—piggyback on parents is such a universal survival strategy that it deserved its own word.

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