Gallycrow

/ˈɡæliˌkroʊ/ noun

Definition

A scarecrow or a grotesque figure used to frighten birds or people, or a tall, thin, awkward-looking person.

Etymology

From 'gally' (to scare) plus 'crow' (the bird); originally referred to scarecrows, then extended to describe oddly-shaped people.

Kelly Says

The word 'gallycrow' shows how old rural terms for scarecrows connected the action (scaring) directly to what was being scared (crows)—it's literal poetry compared to the plain word 'scarecrow.'

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