ginger-hackled

English

Etymology

Originally used to describe a certain colour or colours in gamecocks. See hackle.

Adjective

ginger-hackled (not comparable)

  1. (slang, obsolete) Having reddish or flaxen hair.
    • 1865, William Harrison Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard: A Romance, page 113:
      Speak lower. Somebody may be on the watch — perhaps that old ginger-hackled Jew.
    • 2014, Jo Ann Brown, A Bride for the Baron, page 39:
      “Lord Meriweather!” came a shout from the hallway. A ginger-hackled footman careened to a stop by the open door.

References

  • 1785, Francis Grose, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue: "red haired".
  • 1873, John Camden Hotten, The Slang Dictionary: "having flaxen, light yellow hair".
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