In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
SQUAWK
gripe, kick, beef, bitch, squawk
(noun) informal terms for objecting; “I have a gripe about the service here”
squawk
(noun) the noise of squawking; “she awoke to the squawk of chickens”; “the squawk of car horns”
gripe, bitch, grouse, crab, beef, squawk, bellyache, holler
(verb) complain; “What was he hollering about?”
squawk, screak, skreak, skreigh, screech
(verb) utter a harsh abrupt scream
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
squawk (plural squawks)
A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird; a yell, scream, or call.
(aviation) A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
(aviation) An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
The American night heron.
(programming, informal) A warning message indicating a possible error.
Verb
squawk (third-person singular simple present squawks, present participle squawking, simple past and past participle squawked)
To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly.
(slang, intransitive) To speak out; to protest.
(slang, intransitive) To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret.
(programming, intransitive, informal) To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error.
(aviation) To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code. (Normally followed by the specific code in question.)
(US, slang, dated) To back out in a mean way.
Conjugation
Source: Wiktionary
Squawk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squawked; p. pr. & vb. n. Squawking.] Etym: [See Squeak.]
Definition: To utter a shrill, abrupt scream; to squeak harshly. Squawking thrush (Zoöl.), the missel turush; -- so called from its note when alarmed. [Prov. Eng.]
Squawk, n.
1. Act of squawking; a harsh squeak.
2. (Zoöl.)
Definition: The American night heron. See under Night. Squawk duck (Zoöl.), the bimaculate duck (Anas glocitans). It has patches of reddish brown behind, and in front of, each eye. [Prov. Eng.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
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16 April 2024
CONFIDENCE
(noun) a state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable; “public confidence in the economy”
Coffee Trivia
