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the offspring of a male horse and a female donkey, characterized by its smaller size and longer ears than a horse
What is a "hinny"?
A Hinny is a hybrid animal created by breeding a male horse and a female donkey. They have physical traits of both parents, with a horse-like body but longer ears, like a donkey. Hinny's are typically smaller than horses, standing between 12 and 14 hands tall and weighing up to 800 pounds. They are known for their strength and hardiness, and can be used for a variety of tasks, such as riding and packing. Hinny's also have a reputation for being stubborn, much like their donkey parent. While they are similar to mules, which are the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey, Hinny's are less common and usually smaller in size. They are generally considered to be sterile, meaning they cannot produce offspring of their own, but can live long, healthy lives as working animals.
a friendly or affectionate term, usually used for women
BritishWhat does "hinny" mean in British dialectal slang?
The structure is a simple noun of uncertain origin, possibly from "honey" or from Old English "hin" (a servant or female), but more likely from Northern English dialect for "honey." It is used in British English, particularly in North East England (especially Tyneside, Newcastle, and Sunderland), as a friendly or affectionate term of address, usually for women but also used for men or children, similar to "dear" or "love." People typically say "Alright, hinny?" or "Thanks, hinny." The term originated in 19th century or earlier North Eastern English dialect, and remains a strong marker of Geordie and Mackem identity.
