Friday word: Snallygaster

[med_cat]

Snallygaster

"'People who say there is no such animal are the ones who need to get right — we are not,' he stated emphatically today. 'I saw the snallygaster,' he repeated, 'and I saw him change from white to black.'" — The News (Frederick, MD), November 28, 1932

Definition:

: a mythical nocturnal creature that is reported chiefly from rural Maryland, is reputed to be part reptile and part bird, and is said to prey on poultry and children

Photo credit: Tory Novikova

Source: Top Ten Lists: Monster of the Day from Merriam-Webster Online
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Never heard of this...perhaps people stopped seeing it a few decades ago ;))

Comments

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Well people generally don't see these things as much nowadays. I've noticed that with most of the Irish evil fairies and other creatures. Us people are too noisy and numerous these days I think.

Atheist though I am, I still would never cut down the trees of a fair fort, and should I ever be in Maryland I will not underestimate the Snallygaster.

[med_cat]

I see :)

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Not to be confused with a snollygoster (http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-sno1.htm).

---L.

[med_cat]

What a marvelous word! Thank you for sharing it, and I shall make certain I _never_ confuse these two words ;))