hernshaw

American  

[hurn-shaw] / ˈhɜrn ʃɔ /

noun

British Dialect.

1. a heron.

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Etymology

Origin of hernshaw

1555–65; variant of dial. heronsew, Middle English < Middle French heronceau, heroncel, diminutive of heron heron

Example Sentences

From hernshaw, still further corrupted, arose the proverbial expression introduced by Shakspeare into Hamlet,— "I am but mad north-north-west, when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a hand-saw."

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 91, July 26, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

He could see right through a brick wall, and never mistook a hawk for a hernshaw.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 01 Little Journeys to the Homes of Good Men and Great by Hubbard, Elbert

The clever Elliot, who knew a hawk from a hernshaw, never floundered into that platitude.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21 by Carlyle, Thomas

See here, old chap! you'll be older before you are younger, and some day you will know a hawk from a handsaw, or hernshaw, according to which reading of 'Hamlet' you prefer.

From The Merryweathers by Richards, Julia Ward

To know a hawk from a hernshaw is an ancient proverb, sometimes corrupted into handsaw.

From Hamlet by Kean, Charles John