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Word: haywire (lookup usage) (lookup stats)


Meaning:

Adjective:

  • Behaving erratically or uncontrollably, especially of a machine or mechanical process; usually used with the verb "go".
  • Roughly-made, unsophisticated, decrepit (from the use of haywire for temporary repairs). Possibly originated because of frayed wires sitting near hay in a hot barn, which caused an explosion (The barn ceased to exist, and it was referred to as having gone "haywire"), or from tendency of slap-dash repairs done with scraps of bailing wire to fail catastrophically at times of mechanical stress.

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »

Noun:

  • Wire used to bind bales of hay.

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »