hairy canary
British and general English slang with two distinct senses: the penis (vulgar, rhyming or visual slang register) and a temper tantrum (UK slang).
Definitions
British and general English slang with two distinct senses: the penis (vulgar, rhyming or visual slang register) and a temper tantrum (UK slang). The tantrum sense -- throwing a hairy canary -- is the more commonly encountered in UK informal speech, meaning to have a dramatic, overwrought fit of anger or frustration. The two senses are unrelated in usage and context.
She threw a complete hairy canary when the hotel told her the reservation was lost.
Comments
A British rhyming slang term for a temper tantrum — as in 'throwing a hairy canary'. It has that quintessential rhyming slang energy: the image is absurd, the rhyme is satisfying, and somehow it perfectly captures the frantic, feathery chaos of a proper meltdown. The vulgar sense (slang for penis) also exists but the tantrum usage is the one with more currency in contemporary British English.
He threw a complete hairy canary in the supermarket when they said they were out of his favourite cereal.
Comments
(vulgar, slang) The penis.
Comments
(UK, slang) A temper tantrum.
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