gallows bird
Preserved but no longer current.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A grief, or pickpocket; also one that associates with them.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Sense 2
Meaning · English
An incorrigible thief; often applied to denote a ruffian-like appearance.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “gallows bird” mean?
A grief, or pickpocket; also one that associates with them.
Is “gallows bird” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.