The rock group the Byrds used this spelling because "birds" is a British slang word for what? I swore it meant either a female or referred to a prisoner but I guess not.

neon000

"Birds" in British slang usually does refer to a woman, similar to the American word "chick." It can also refer to someone in prison, as in a "jailbird." In the 1960s, psychedelic artists often changed things just to be different, to show their own style and identity. Feb 06 07, 7:15 AM

Baloo55th

The use of 'bird' for a usually young female goes back as far as Edmund Spencer's 'Faerie Queen'. Jailbird is somewhat more American then British English. The term 'doing bird' is used but less now than 'banged up', while the person doing bird is a lag, especially if he's been there more than once. Feb 06 07, 11:42 AM

kathrynashurst

Many bands etc change spellings in the UK just to be different. a 'bird' is a slang word used for a woman. as in a man would say refrring to his girlfriend. 'she's my bird' Feb 07 07, 10:31 AM

Rimmer43

There is another use for the word 'Bird' which from the UK. 'Doing Bird' actually means spending time in prison as in serving your sentence. Feb 27 07, 9:20 AM