Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A player on a sports team affiliated with the University of Kansas
  • proper noun rare A student at the University of Kansas
  • proper noun rare A resident or native of the US state of Kansas

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Name of a fictional bird, half bluejay and half sparrowhawk, mascot of the University of Kansas. See jayhawker for the origins of the term.

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Examples

  • The term Jayhawk was at first used to describe both sides, but eventually stuck with the anti-slavery advocates and, in time, became a term of endearment.

    Kansan.com stories <StaffMember: Kristin Vermeire> 2009

  • Origin of the mascot name: The term Jayhawk comes from the 1850s, during which Kansas was a battleground between pro - and anti-slavery forces, the two sides sometimes sacking and attacking each other's settlements.

    Kansan.com stories <StaffMember: Kristin Vermeire> 2009

  • The nickname "Jayhawk," or more precisely "Jayhawker," can be linked to Kansans who sided with anti-slavery forces in the years leading up to the Civil War.

    The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Jim Noles 2011

  • The 'Birds' category would have benefited from the Kansas Jayhawks, but a Jayhawk is a fictional combination of a blue jay and a sparrow hawk, so they land in the 'Mythical Figures' group.

    Reptiles and Amphibians Rule March Madness 2010

  • The 'Birds' category would have benefited from the Kansas Jayhawks, but a Jayhawk is a fictional combination of a blue jay and a sparrow hawk, so they land in the 'Mythical Figures' group.

    Reptiles and Amphibians Rule March Madness 2010

  • The 'Birds' category would have benefited from the Kansas Jayhawks, but a Jayhawk is a fictional combination of a blue jay and a sparrow hawk, so they land in the 'Mythical Figures' group.

    Reptiles and Amphibians Rule March Madness 2010

  • The Jayhawk is a cross between two hunting birds–the noisy blue jay and the quiet sparrow hawk.

    “Jayhawks” « Christopher Colaninno 2008

  • The program is called the Jayhawk Buddy System and is geared toward showing positive behaviors, not scare tactics.

    KCTV5.com - News 2010

  • If you didn't know, the Jayhawk is the mascot of Kansas University.

    MetaFilter Projects 2008

  • A "Jayhawk" (Kansas) to crap on people's windshields

    Is That Legal?: Violently Pacifist. 2007

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