red shanks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Rare / Domain-specific (Ornithology)Specialized / Technical (ornithology); Informal / Historical / Archaic (non-ornithological senses).
Quick answer
What does “red shanks” mean?
A common name for the common redshank (Tringa totanus), a medium-sized wading bird found in wetlands across Eurasia, characterized by its bright orange-red legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common name for the common redshank (Tringa totanus), a medium-sized wading bird found in wetlands across Eurasia, characterized by its bright orange-red legs.
Informally, it can refer to a person with red or sunburnt legs. Historically, it was also a derogatory nickname for Scottish Highlanders (from their bare legs) and a name for a type of dock plant (Persicaria maculosa).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In ornithology, both use the term. The non-bird senses (e.g., for people or plants) are more likely to be found in historical British texts.
Connotations
Neutral in ornithology. The historical use for Highlanders was pejorative. The plant name is neutral but regional.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Moderately known among birdwatchers in the UK where the bird is common.
Grammar
How to Use “red shanks” in a Sentence
We observed [a/the] redshank.The [marshes/estuary] are home to redshanks.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red shanks” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The redshank population is stable.
- A redshank conservation area.
American English
- Redshank morphology is distinctive.
- The redshank study yielded new data.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and biological texts.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by birdwatchers or in coastal regions.
Technical
Specific to zoology and wildlife conservation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red shanks”
- Spelling as one word 'redshanks' is common for the bird, but 'red shanks' is also accepted. Confusing it with the 'spotted redshank' (a different species). Using it in modern contexts to describe a person is archaic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are accepted, though 'redshank' (one word) is more common for the bird, especially in compound terms like 'common redshank'. 'Red shanks' is the older form.
This is technically possible based on the word's literal meaning but is very rare, humorous, and potentially confusing. It's not standard modern usage.
The common redshank (Tringa totanus) is browner, has shorter legs, and breeds in Eurasia. The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is darker in summer (almost black with spots), has longer legs, and breeds in the Arctic.
Yes. Both are wading birds belonging to the family Scolopacidae, which includes sandpipers, snipes, and curlews.
A common name for the common redshank (Tringa totanus), a medium-sized wading bird found in wetlands across Eurasia, characterized by its bright orange-red legs.
Red shanks is usually specialized / technical (ornithology); informal / historical / archaic (non-ornithological senses). in register.
Red shanks: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛd ˈʃæŋks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛd ˈʃæŋks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Historically, 'to have shanks of a redshank' meant to be long-legged.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier (a 'shank' is a leg) with bright red leg-warmers patrolling a muddy shore.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGS ARE SUPPORTS (for the body) / COLOR FOR IDENTITY (the red legs define the bird).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical context, 'redshanks' was a term for: