split crow
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
The sign of the spread eagle, which being represented with two heads on one neck, gives it somewhat the appearance of being split.
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.
Common questions
What does “split crow” mean?
The sign of the spread eagle, which being represented with two heads on one neck, gives it somewhat the appearance of being split.
Is “split crow” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.