hernshaw
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of hernshaw
1555–65; variant of dial. heronsew, Middle English < Middle French heronceau, heroncel, diminutive of heron heron
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
Sinfi gazed at it silently, then she said: 'This is the very place where Winnie wonst tried to save a hernshaw as wur wounded.
From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
