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haywire ((adj.))

[< n.]

Slang

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1adj. — Esp. Lumbering

poorly organized and equipped; less than efficient; second-rate.

See: gunnysack

Quotations

1925

One hay-wire sawmill, Nice location, Ten mile haul To shipping station.

1942

HAYWIRE. An allusion to the farm practice of repairing machinery with the light wire used to bale hay and straw. Any piece of equipment not up to the peak of operation efficiency is haywire to a logger.

1960

Neither does it [gyppo] denote shoddy equipment. There's another name for that--the haywire outfit.