hen tracks

American  

plural noun

Slang.

1. illegible or barely legible handwriting.

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Etymology

Origin of hen tracks

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

At the first rehearsal of Goldman's own band, the players found their parts a mass of hen tracks in red ink, detailed instructions for phrasing, etc.

From Time Magazine Archive

"By jigger, now, I wonder what those hen tracks mean?" he uttered musingly.

From The Haunted Pajamas by Elliott, Francis Perry

Robert Lane said this morning they looked like hen tracks.

From A Little Girl in Old Boston by Douglas, Amanda Minnie

I wrote it down in the "hen tracks" of short-hand which are now difficult to decipher.

From The Key to Success by Conwell, Russell H.