hicky-horse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “hicky-horse” mean?
A children's playground toy consisting of a long, often metal or wooden, horizontal bar supported at both ends, on which children can sit or lie and rock back and forth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A children's playground toy consisting of a long, often metal or wooden, horizontal bar supported at both ends, on which children can sit or lie and rock back and forth.
Less commonly, it can be used figuratively to describe a state of indecision or vacillation, or an activity that involves repetitive back-and-forth motion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is a chiefly British (UK) term. In American English, the common equivalent is 'seesaw' or 'teeter-totter'.
Connotations
In the UK, 'hicky-horse' carries a nostalgic, slightly quaint, and playful connotation. In the US, use of 'hicky-horse' would likely be seen as a Britishism and might not be immediately understood.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in the US. In the UK, it is recognizable but less common than 'seesaw'.
Grammar
How to Use “hicky-horse” in a Sentence
[Subject] rides the hicky-horse.[Subject] plays on the hicky-horse.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hicky-horse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The kids were hicky-horsing in the park all afternoon.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in AmE; 'teeter-tottering' would be used.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
American English
- (Not used)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Potentially in historical or sociological studies of childhood or playground design.
Everyday
Used by parents, grandparents, and children discussing playgrounds.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hicky-horse”
- Misspelling as 'hickey-horse' or 'hickory-horse'.
- Using it in American contexts where it will cause confusion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a British English term.
In American English, 'seesaw' or 'teeter-totter' are the standard terms.
Very rarely and only informally in UK dialects, meaning to play on a seesaw.
It is recognized but has low frequency even in the UK, where 'seesaw' is more prevalent.
A children's playground toy consisting of a long, often metal or wooden, horizontal bar supported at both ends, on which children can sit or lie and rock back and forth.
Hicky-horse is usually informal in register.
Hicky-horse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪk.i hɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪk.i hɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “off like a shot from a hicky-horse (UK, archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a child getting 'hiccups' from bouncing up and down, riding a horse-shaped toy. 'Hicky-horse'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLAY IS RIDING; A PLAYGROUND TOY IS AN ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'hicky-horse'?