yardbird

[ yahrd-burd ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a convict or prisoner.
2. an army recruit.
3. a soldier confined to camp and assigned to cleaning the grounds or other menial tasks as punishment for violation of the rules.

yardbird

/ ˈjɑːdˌbɜːd /

noun

1. military an inexperienced, untrained, or clumsy soldier, esp one employed on menial duties

Word History and Origins

Origin of yardbird¹

1940–45, Americanism; yard ² + bird, by analogy with jailbird

Related Words

• convict
• crook
• culprit
• felon
• fugitive
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• lawbreaker
• mobster
• offender
• thug