heigh-ho

== English == === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˌhaɪˈhoʊ/, /ˈheɪˌhəʊ/ (US) IPA(key): /ˌhaɪˈhoʊ/, /ˈheɪˈhoʊ/ Homophones: hey ho, hi-ho === Noun === heigh-ho (plural heigh-hos) Colaptes auratus, northern flicker. === Verb === heigh-ho (third-person singular simple present heigh-hos, present participle heigh-hoing, simple past and past participle heigh-hoed) (intransitive) To chant "heigh-ho". 1927, Porterfield, William M., Bamboo and its uses in China, Chinese Government Bureau of Economic Information, Booklet Series 2, p.40. Cited in David Farrelly, The Book of Bamboo, p.25; Sierra Club Books, 1984. Big bamboo poles are used for carrying heavy loads in China. In the cities one hears the familiar antiphonal “heigh-ho'ing”, indicating that a heavy load is being moved somewhere. The heavier the load, the louder and more agonized the chant. === Interjection === heigh-ho Used as a cadence-count used for synchronized walking, marching, pulling, lifting, etc. 1937, Larry Morey (lyricist), Heigh-Ho, song in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film) Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go, ... Alternative spelling of hey ho.