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Glite Dictionary
whisker jack

whisker jack

9.9
A bold jay from northern North America with a black cap that steals food
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : arrendajo canadiense
  • During our camping trip, a whisker jack swooped down and stole a piece of bread from the table.

Examples

  • I saw a whisker jack stealing crumbs from the picnic table.

  • The children laughed as a curious whisker jack hopped right up to their picnic.

  • Spotting a whisker jack is considered a lucky sign by many northern hikers.

  • The whisker jack is known for its bold behavior.

  • While we were eating lunch, a whisker jack boldly snatched a sandwich from our table.

  • Many hikers enjoy watching a whisker jack steal food from unsuspecting campers.

  • The whisker jack is famous for its daring antics, often surprising visitors at outdoor picnics.

Synonyms

Canada jay
vswhisker jack
  • US
6.1

A bold grey-and-white bird with a black cap and no crest that lives in northern forests and steals food

is the same species but called by a different common name
gray jay
vswhisker jack
  • US
7.2

A bird from northern forests with a black head that boldly takes food from people

is the same species but called by a different common name
Perisoreus canadensis
vswhisker jack
  • Specialized
9.9

A small gray bird found in northern forests that takes food from campsites

is the same species but named in everyday speech rather than scientifically
camp robber
vswhisker jack
  • US
8.8

A bold gray bird that steals food from camps and picnics

is the same bird but is a different, less formal name

Surface Forms

whisker jack singular
whisker jacks plural

Morphology

whisker + jack

The compound 'whisker jack' combines 'whisker' (a tactile hair) with 'jack' (undefined here or a general name), and these constituents give no clear indication of a specific bird species or the meaning 'a bold food-stealing jay'. As this is a regional/common name whose meaning is not compositionally derived from its parts and is unpredictable to learners, it would be opaque to a B1 learner even if they knew the individual words.

Etymology

Whisker jack may come from a trickster character in Native stories called 'Wisakedjak' who was known for stealing food and playing tricks. Because the jay is bold and often takes food at camps and picnics, the name now brings to mind a curious, food-stealing bird.