tavukirjoitus

Tavukirjoitus, meaning "chicken writing" in Finnish, refers to illegible or poorly formed handwriting. It is a common colloquial term used to describe script that is difficult to read, often due to rushed writing, small characters, or lack of neatness. The expression evokes the image of a chicken scratching in the dirt, creating messy and indistinguishable marks.

The term is typically used in informal contexts to express frustration or amusement with someone's handwriting. It can also be used humorously to describe one's own illegible writing. While not a formal linguistic or calligraphic term, tavukirjoitus is widely understood in Finnish-speaking communities.

Factors contributing to tavukirjoitus can include speed of writing, lack of practice, poor penmanship skills, or even certain writing implements. In educational settings, teachers might refer to illegible work as tavukirjoitus, encouraging students to improve their writing for better clarity and communication. The opposite of tavukirjoitus would be clear, neat, and easily readable handwriting.