nicker

¹

[nik-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that nicks.

nicker

²

[nik-er]

verb (used without object)

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. neigh.

2. laugh; snicker.

nicker

³

[nik-er]

noun

plural

nickerer, nickers 

1. British Slang.,  one pound sterling.

2. Australian.,  money.

nicker

¹

/ ˈnɪkə /

verb

1. (of a horse) to neigh softly

2. to laugh quietly; snigger

nicker

²

/ ˈnɪkə /

noun

1. slang,  a pound sterling

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicker¹

First recorded in 1660–70; nick + -er ¹

Origin of nicker²

First recorded in 1785–95; apparently variant of nicher, neigher, frequentative of neigh; -er ⁶

Origin of nicker³

First recorded in 1875–80; perhaps special use of nicker ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicker¹

C18: perhaps from _neigh

Origin of nicker²

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Pierre: “He’s out to the road! Luckily the other horses were nickering, you know, and he came back to the fence . . .”

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He could easily picture the “goofy,” bigheaded horse nickering for treats and their weekend camping trips to northwestern Utah.

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The smell of the hay, the shift of animals in their stalls, the nickering of the horses brought back memories of Novyi Zem.

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After reading it, I feel like I've been caught in a traffic jam caused by rubber nickers gawking at a roadside accident.

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You know something good is coming, and even though it’s not even close yet, still, just knowing it’s coming is enough to make you snort and nicker.

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