shitehawk

English

Etymology

From shite +‎ hawk.

Noun

shitehawk (plural shitehawks)

1. (chiefly UK, Ireland, informal) A large scavenging or predatory bird; especially (originally in military use in South Asia) the black kite.
   • 1999 April 28, Lord Burton, “Capercaillie”, in parliamentary debates (House of Lords)‎^[1], column 423:

     Possibly one of the most highly protected birds today is the kite, known by the British Army throughout the world as a shite-hawk.

   • 2006 March 11, Simon Barnes, “At deep mid-wicket I can see a face like a gargoyle – but wings like an angel”, in The Times, page 23:

     Shite-hawks..are more properly known as black kites,..gaining their unlovely nickname from British troops who used to get the meat stolen from their plates by these bold and skilful birds.

2. (chiefly UK, Ireland, informal) The European herring gull.
3. (chiefly UK, Ireland, informal) An objectionable person; a twat or wanker.
   • 1997, Valerie Maher, Sarah's Gate: Tales from Ballyhornet:

     "Watch yer language, ye shitehawk." His da had heard the din from the kitchen and had decided to have his say in the matter.

   • 2001, Gary Owen, Crazy Gary's Mobile Disco:

     What must it be like, to be such a fucking gimp, and see perfection, and know you're too much of a shitehawk to ever have it?

   • 2005, Andrew M Greeley, The Priestly Sins:

     When I win, Liam still suggests on the eighteenth green that I'm a nine-fingered shitehawk.

   • 2007, Chris Oakley, Football Delirium:

     ...any analyst who puts out a book with the word "ethics" in the title is invariably an incorrigible shitehawk.

References

• "shitehawk, n.". OED Online. December 2012. Oxford University Press.