yardbird

== English == === Alternative forms === yard bird === Etymology === From yard +‎ bird. 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. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈjɑːd.bəːd/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈjɑɹd.bɝd/ === Noun === yardbird (plural yardbirds) (chiefly US, slang) A chicken. (chiefly US, slang) A person who is imprisoned. (chiefly US, slang) A soldier who is required to perform menial work on the grounds of a military base. ==== Translations ==== === References ===