jawbreaker

[ jaw-brey-ker ]

/ ˈdʒɔˌbreɪ kər /

Informal. a word that is hard to pronounce.

a very hard, usually round, candy.

Also called jaw crusher. Mining. a machine used to break up ore, consisting of a fixed plate and a hinged jaw moved by a toggle joint.

Origin of jawbreaker

First recorded in 1830–40; jaw¹ + breaker¹

jaw·break·ing, adjective jaw·break·ing·ly, adverb

These jaw-breaking names are commended to those who think that the Indian names of northern Maine are difficult to handle.

First Across the Continent |Noah Brooks
The next place where we had trouble was around a village with the jaw-breaking name of Elsasshausen.

The Downfall |Emile Zola
But Slade held him up with an iron grip on the jaw-breaking Spanish ring-bit.

Bloom of Cactus |Robert Ames Bennet
I seem to hear pronounced by some of his kin at such a time his original wild name in some jaw-breaking or else melodious tongue.

Excursions and Poems |Henry David Thoreau

A display of authority on the part of the top sergeant prevented a clash and the jaw-breaking contest proceeded.

Danger Signals |John A. Hill and Jasper Ewing Brady

jawbreaker

/ (ˈdʒɔːˌbreɪkə) /

Also called: jawcrusher a device having hinged jaws for crushing rocks and ores

informal a word that is hard to pronounce

jawbreaking, adjective jawbreakingly, adverb