May 8, 2009


Ornithological Slang

I doubted Word Journal until I googled it.

jizz

noun • [ornithology] the characteristics of a specific type of bird that enables it to be immediately identified by a birder.

As in: “When I first saw the bird’s jizz, I knew it was a swallow.”

posted by Andrew Simone in language 

comments

4 Responses to “Ornithological Slang”

  1. Deron Bauman on May 9th, 2009 at 12:57 am

    I knew it was a swallow!

  2. Phil Bebbington on May 9th, 2009 at 7:03 am

    A unique identifier, one that requires patience and the ability not to blink I would guess!

  3. Robert Ledgerwood on May 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am

    I learned this one from a friend recently.

    “The speculum is a patch, often distinctly coloured, on the inner remiges or flight feathers of some birds.”

    According to my friend, it makes for awkward dinner conversation with your significant other’s parents.

  4. Cindy Scroggins on May 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am

    inner remiges

Leave a Reply