gallus

Everyday

1. (science) Gallus is the Latin scientific name for the group (genus) of jungle fowl that includes the chicken: the chicken is Gallus gallus domesticus. tree →
2. (Scotland, slang) Gallus means bold, cheeky and full of confidence, often in a fun, likeable way. tree →
3. (dialect, old) Galluses are braces, the straps that hold up trousers. tree →
4. (a name) Gallus was the name of some Romans and of an early saint, Saint Gall. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons Gallus appears in the scientific names of the chicken and the red junglefowl, its wild ancestor. In Scotland, especially Glasgow, people say «gallus» to praise or tease someone daring. It is mostly not used in other English-speaking countries.

Examples

• The chicken's scientific name is Gallus gallus domesticus. tree →
• The red junglefowl, Gallus gallus, lives in the forests of Asia. tree →
• (Scotland) That wee lad is pure gallus, he sang in front of the whole school. tree →
• (Scotland) She gave the teacher a gallus grin. tree →
• (dialect) Grandpa hitched up his galluses. tree →
• Scientific names like Gallus are written in italics. tree →

Note

As a scientific name it starts with a capital letter and is written in italics. The Scottish word «gallus» is slang and can mean both «admirably bold» and «too cheeky». «Galluses» for braces is old American and British dialect.