rock hound

See also: rockhound

English

Etymology

In use by 1910s (see Citations). Originally a playful term for geologists employed in the early days of the oil industry - other similar names included "sand smeller",^[1] "oil witch", "wrinkle chaser", "pebble pup".^[2] The intended parallel being the likeness of a geologist sniffing out - like a hound - something of value among the rocks. Term popularized perhaps by a 1921 story published in Cosmopolitan titled The Rockhound.^[3]

Pronunciation

Audio (General Australian): (file)

Noun

rock hound (plural rock hounds)

(idiomatic) A person who collects rocks and minerals from the natural environment as a hobby.

Derived terms

rockhounding

Translations

person who collects rocks

Finnish: kivien keräilijä

References

^ Harper's Magazine‎^[1], 1921 December, page 529
^ The Encyclopaedia Britannica Co., London (1932) The Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.17‎^[2]
^ William MacHarg (1921 January) Cosmopolitan‎^[3]

[1] Harper's Magazine‎^[1], 1921 December, page 529

[2] The Encyclopaedia Britannica Co., London (1932) The Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.17‎^[2]

[3] William MacHarg (1921 January) Cosmopolitan‎^[3]

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