yardbird

Alternative forms

• yard bird

Etymology

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

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈjɑːd.bəːd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈjɑɹd.bɝd/

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," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 478, p. 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, "In the Rough," Time, 5 Jul.:

     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.

References