river horse

a hippopotamus.

Origin of river horse

First recorded in 1595–1605

His name is Greek, and, as every one knows, signifies the River-horse.

Quadrupeds, What They Are and Where Found |Mayne Reid
The hippopotamus, or river-horse, is perhaps the most awkward and ungainly animal in the world.

The Animal World, A Book of Natural History |Theodore Wood
It is just as inappropriate as that of “river-horse” (hippopotamus).

The Vee-Boers |Mayne Reid
The river-horse couches there among the bulrushes, and on a great granite throne sits the God Memnon.

Children's Literature |Charles Madison Curry

Liverpool started and snorted like a river-horse roused amongst his reeds by thunder.

Shirley |Charlotte Bront

river horse

an informal name for the hippopotamus