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merrythought: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Archaic/Rare
UK/ˈmɛrɪθɔːt/US/ˈmɛriˌθɔt/

Archaic, Dialectal, Literary

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Quick answer

What does “merrythought” mean?

The forked bone between the neck and breast of a bird, specifically a chicken's wishbone.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The forked bone between the neck and breast of a bird, specifically a chicken's wishbone.

A symbol or object used in the tradition of two people pulling apart the dried wishbone, with the holder of the longer piece being granted a wish.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The term is historically British. 'Wishbone' is now standard in both regions, but 'merrythought' may persist slightly more in UK regional dialects than in US usage.

Connotations

Evokes a quaint, old-fashioned, or pastoral feeling. In the US, it would be considered a historical curiosity.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage. Found in older literature, folk tales, and discussions of historical customs.

Grammar

How to Use “merrythought” in a Sentence

[Someone] pulls/breaks the merrythought.The merrythought snapped with a crack.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
pull the merrythoughtbreak the merrythoughta chicken's merrythought
medium
dry the merrythoughtwin the merrythoughthold the merrythought
weak
lucky merrythoughtold merrythoughttradition of the merrythought

Examples

Examples of “merrythought” in a Sentence

noun

British English

  • After the roast chicken, Grandfather carefully dried the merrythought on the windowsill for the wishing ritual.
  • The old book described the Christmas tradition of pulling the merrythought.

American English

  • In the historical reenactment, they explained the colonial custom of breaking the merrythought.
  • He found the term 'merrythought' in a 19th-century diary entry about Thanksgiving.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Rarely used in historical or anatomical contexts; 'furcula' is the scientific term.

Everyday

Virtually never used in modern conversation.

Technical

Not used; 'furcula' is the correct ornithological term.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “merrythought”

Strong

wishbone

Weak

clavicle (of a bird)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “merrythought”

N/A (specific physical object)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “merrythought”

  • Using 'merrythought' in modern contexts where 'wishbone' is expected.
  • Spelling as 'merry-thought' (historically acceptable but now less common).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is an archaic term. The modern word is 'wishbone'.

It is the forked bone (furcula) located between the neck and breast of a bird, such as a chicken or turkey.

The name comes from the 'merry' or happy wish one makes while pulling it, combined with 'thought' in the sense of a wish or desire.

They refer to the same anatomical object. 'Merrythought' is the older, now obsolete term, while 'wishbone' is the contemporary word.

The forked bone between the neck and breast of a bird, specifically a chicken's wishbone.

Merrythought is usually archaic, dialectal, literary in register.

Merrythought: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛrɪθɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛriˌθɔt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “To win/pull the merrythought.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'merry' (happy) + 'thought' (wish) = the bone you make a merry wish upon.

Conceptual Metaphor

A FORKED BONE IS A SOURCE OF LUCK / A SMALL OBJECT HOLDS POTENTIAL FOR FORTUNE.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the old tale, the siblings each took one end of the dried chicken's and pulled until it broke.
Multiple Choice

What is the modern, common term for a 'merrythought'?

merrythought: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore