pinc-pinc, noun

Forms:
Also pink pinkje.
Origin:
Echoic; see first quotation.
Any of several small warblers of the Sylviidae, especially Cisticola textrix; also called tinktinkie. Also attributive.
c1808 C. von Linné System of Nat. Hist. VIII. 461The Pinc-pinc. This is one of the smallest birds of Africa; in size and manners very like the wren..in continual motion,..uttering its note of pinc-pinc, pinc-pinc, pinc-pinc, the whole time. The children at the Cape call it the pinc-pinc from its note.
1868 J.G. Wood Homes without Hands 217The Pinc-pinc of Africa..has a similar custom, constructing a supplementary roosting-place upon the nest.
1894 Newton Dict. BirdsPinc-pinc (or rather ‘Tinc-tinc’), the name which a South African bird..has given itself from its ringing metallic cry.
1896 J. Wood in Scientific African Mar. 76The obtrusive ‘pink-pinkje’ (D. Tetrix) was also there.
1901 Stark & Sclater Birds of S. Afr. II.The Pinc-pinc appears to be confined to the south western parts of the Colony...The Pinc-pinc builds a regular Cisticoline, deep, purse-shaped nest, of dry grass and cobwebs lined with vegetable down.
1931 Guide to Vertebrate Fauna of E. Cape Prov. (Albany Museum) I. 109Cisticola ayresii..Little Pinc-pinc Warbler, Striped Grass-Warbler, Cloud Warbler.
1931 Guide to Vertebrate Fauna of E. Cape Prov. (Albany Museum) I. 110Cisticola textrix mystica..Transvaal Pinc-pinc Warbler.
1973 J. Cowden For Love 66There are cisticolas that are: Fantail,..Moustache, Pinc-pinc, Zulu Reed,..right down to the Lazy Cisticola!
Any of several small warblers of the Sylviidae, especially Cisticola textrix; also called tinktinkie. Also attributive.
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18081973