Dictionary

early crow en · NOUN

Etymology

From horse racing slang, in reference to race callers prematurely declaring that a horse will win.

Meanings

1. (Australia, informal) A confident prediction of an outcome that later proves incorrect.
   • A state treasurer has declared mission accomplished on getting the budget back in the black but experts warn she might have gone the early crow. 2025 May 19, Callum Godde, “'Wafer-thin' budget surplus won't fix debt problem”, in Australian Associated Press, archived from the original on 08 Jun 2025:
   • Brandon Smith has been maligned for a lot of this season, but his recent form since returning from a thumb injury has helped the lead the Roosters to an unlikely finals berth. While the big-money long-term deal has opened the door for criticism, there may have been a bit of an early crow. 2023 September 5, Liam O'Loughlin, Chris Danks, “The Fair Dinkum Department Round 27: NRL finals hopes, Brandon Smith's form and Rabbitohs halfback question”, in Sporting News, retrieved 08 Jun 2025:
2. (Australia, informal) A confident early prediction (whether or not the outcome later proves incorrect).
   • I’m going the early crow, Gather Round will be a roaring success and the envy of states around Australia, leading to another bidding war for the sophomore outing in 2024. 2023 April 12, Michael Mkoka-Nicholson, “Sorry, Melbourne. Adelaide’s footy festival will be a roaring game-changer”, in Advertiser, Adelaide, archived from the original on 03 May 2026:

Forms