merrythought

American  

[mer-ee-thawt] / ˈmɛr iˌθɔt /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. the wishbone or furcula of a fowl.

---

merrythought British  

/ ˈmɛrɪˌθɔːt /

noun

1. a less common word for wishbone

---

Etymology

Origin of merrythought

First recorded in 1600–10; so called from the custom of pulling the bone apart until it breaks, the person holding the longer (sometimes shorter) piece supposedly marrying first or being granted a wish at the time

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

merrythought

She shall have the nicest partner, and the best place, and the merrythought all to herself.

From Lady Cassandra by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

Take off the merrythought, the neck-bones, and separate the leg-bones from the legs, and the pinions from the wings.

From The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Francis Child

Cut off the merrythought in the line f, g, by passing the knife under it towards the neck.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

The prime parts of a partridge are the wings, breast, and merrythought; but the bird being small, the two latter are not often divided.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

The wings must be taken off in the line a, b, and the merrythought in the line c, d.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---