Dictionary

hen's tooth en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Example of a jocularly non-existent phenomenon, as many birds lack any teeth (having developed a bill instead). Compare horsefeathers and when pigs fly.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) Anything not naturally occurring.
   • Indeed, many of the Dutch in Pernambuco were won over to the Church of Rome, ‘whereas converts from Catholicism to Calvinism were as rare as hens’ teeth’. 1992, Edwin Williamson, The Penguin history of Latin America, London; New York: Penguin Books, →ISBN, page 183:
   • as rare as a hen's tooth

Forms

Relateds

unobtanium

Synonyms

rare bird · one in a million · unicorn · rarity · rocking horse shit · lightning in a bottle · black swan · rocking horse shit · rara avis · hen's tooth

Translations (2)

rsk таще млєко (something rare or hard to find) · ru пти́чье молоко́ (something rare or hard to find)