bird course
nounEtymology Possibly referring to the small size of bird's brains (compare birdbrain). In the movie Sister Act 2, a bird course is referred to as being a course one can "fly right through," a reference to the course being easy to pass.
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Canada In an educational institution, a course which is regarded as particularly easy.
- One of the most popular targets for criticism has been the credit system, Rutledge said, "because the public has the impression that students are just taking a bunch of bird courses—I wish they'd even tell me what a bird course is."1975 August 30, Elaine Carey, “Back to school: What's happening in the classes?”, in Toronto Star, page A2:
- Clarke stumbled into music by way of a high school course he took to raise his grades. "Music was a bird course. I had more interest in math, science, and women", he divulged.2002 October 26, Nathalie Younglai, “Conducting without boundaries”, in Guelph Mercury, page C3:
1 more example
- Forty-five years ago, a McGill University commerce student named Seymour Schulich was looking for a bird course to bolster his grades and came upon a prime candidate — business history.2006 March 13, Gordon Pitts, “Forward-looking CEOs are looking to the past”, in Globe and Mail, page B12: