Wednesday’s Word

Word: Gorby (N.)

Definition: Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis - “meat bird,” “moose bird,” “whiskey jack,” “camp thief,” etc.)

This large, soot-colored, ungainly bird is the panhandler of the northern forests. Absolutely fearless, the jay will perch upon the muzzle of a hunter’s gun if it thinks it can con the man out of a bite of the sandwich in his pocket.

photo from naturetales.blogspot.com

Old legend held that gorbies represent the transmirgrated souls of dead woodsmen, thus acccounting for their familiarity with man.

(Definition from: “How To Talk Yankee”, by Gerald Lewis & Tim Sample, copyright 1979, 1986 by The Thorndike Press; copyright 1989 by the First North Country Press)