Talk:hench

News just in
I have just obtained first-hand evidence of the disputed (UK?) slang sense meaning "strong, muscular". I overheard it in the conversation of two girls of about sixteen. Probably still not citable though. Equinox ◑ 11:53, 12 September 2009 (UTC)

I'm glad that the slang was referenced to the UK because I had never heard or seen until yesterday when a Brit used it on a blog. Should local / regional slang be included here? AnWulf ... Ferþu Hal! 01:01, 12 September 2011 (UTC)
 * It should if the use can be supported with citations using the word, as spelled out in WT:CFI. --EncycloPetey 01:03, 12 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Then I guess it would depend on one's view of "widespread". No matter. I just think it's important that it is, at least, noted as UK slang. I have many British friends but I haven't heard it before. I'm not sure how widespread it is in the UK.AnWulf ... Ferþu Hal! 03:50, 13 September 2011 (UTC)

It looks like a back formation from henchman. I can't attest tho which is why I put probable. I think the etymology is important but I'm sure that it doesn't apply to the architecture definitions.AnWulf ... Ferþu Hal! 03:50, 13 September 2011 (UTC)

Would this count as a source?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1054167/Check-Im-proper-hench-New-dictionary-helps-parents-understand-teenglish-language.html

86.31.97.83 02:00, 6 January 2013 (UTC)

O.E.D.
None of what's included in this article is in the O.E.D., in which the only entries on "hench" are as follows (http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/84635?redirectedFrom=hench#eid):

haunch, v.3

Forms: In Sc. hainch, hench. Frequency (in current use): Etymology: < haunch n.1 1, in Scots hainch, hench. trans. To throw with an underhand movement, the arm being jerked against the haunch; ‘to elevate by a sudden jerk’ (Jamieson). 1788  E. Picken Poems & Epist. 75  To hainch a chield aboon the moon. 1825  J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words  Haunch, Hainch, to throw; as a stone from the hand by jerking it against the haunch. 1894  S. R. Crockett Raiders 110   With a pebble cunningly ‘henched’. Derivatives haunch n. (Sc.hainch, hainsh) a jerked underhand throw. 1843  Hardy in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 No. ii. 54  The bowl..launched in the manner which in Scotland is called a hainsh, being precisely the fashion after which the Greek Δισκος was impelled.

hauncher n. (Sc.haincher, hencher) 1863  J. Brown Biggar in Horæ Subsecivæ (1882) 3rd Ser. 328  A dextrous hencher of stones.

haunching n. (also henching) 1824  J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. Hainching, throwing, by springing the arm on the haunch. 1843  Hardy in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 No. ii. 58  The bowls were sometimes thrown by raising the arm..but more frequently they were propelled in the hainshing mode. 1894  S. R. Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 310   Throwing stones at them in the manner known as ‘henchin’.

--87.113.92.129 22:32, 23 August 2018 (UTC)