hackney

views updated Jun 27 2018

hack·ney / ˈhaknē/ • n. (pl. -neys) hist. a horse or pony of a light breed with a high-stepping trot, used in harness. ∎  [usu. as adj.] a horse-drawn vehicle kept for hire: a hackney coach.

hackney

views updated May 14 2018

hackney a horse or pony of a light breed with a high-stepping trot, used in harness. The word is Middle English, and probably comes from Hackney in East London, where horses were pastured. The term originally denoted an ordinary riding horse (as opposed to a war horse or draught horse), especially one available for hire.

The word is the origin of hackneyed meaning ‘unoriginal and trite’, and ultimately of hack for a dull and uninspired journalist.
what you've never had you never miss often used in consolation; saying recorded from the early 20th century.

hackney

views updated May 18 2018

hackney riding-horse, esp. for hire XIV; †common drudge, prostitute XVI; short for hackneycoach XVII. In AN. hakenei (XIV), AL. hakeneius (XIII); perh. f. ME. Hakenei Hackney in Middlesex.