Prey for Them
Among the many everyday terms originating from the ancient practice of falconry:
Sunday
The leash by which a falconer holds onto his bird is called a “jess,” and when the handler’s thumb pins down the jess to hold it secure, the bird is “under his thumb.”
Monday
Likewise, the jess can be wrapped around a little finger to secure the bird, the origin of this other term for full control.
Tuesday
“Haggard” describes a mature wild-caught hawk, which are also often thin and scruffy when caught after a taxing migration.
Wednesday
When a falconing bird is tethered and restrained, it is “bated,” so “waiting with bated breath” refers to holding your breath in anticipation.
Thursday
A leather “hat” or hood is sometimes put over the eyes of the bird to calm them. From this we get “hoodwinked,” meaning deceive, since wink means to close the eyes quickly.
Friday
“Ruser,” from the Old French, describes when a hawk shakes its tail feathers. From this comes “rouse,” which means to awaken yourself or someone else.
Saturday
References to a “hawkeye” as having sharp vision are not kidding. Hawks can see five times better than people, spot small prey miles away, have a visual range of 280 degrees (people only have 200 degrees), and can see sharper colors and even ultraviolet light.