sawbuck
Meaning
a sawhorse, especially one with an x-shaped end support.
a ten-dollar bill.
Structure
Usage
he propped the plank on the sawbuck to cut it to length.
the old carpenter's sawbuck was worn but still sturdy.
i need to break a sawbuck; do you have change for a ten?
Etymology
the word 'sawbuck' is a compound formed from two old english words. literally, it combines 'saw' with 'buck', as the x-shaped supports of the sawhorse were thought to resemble the antlers of a male deer. this visual metaphor gave the tool its name. in late 19th century american slang, this term was then applied to a ten-dollar bill, because the roman numeral x (for ten) resembled the crossed legs of the sawbuck.
Analysis
saw (from old english 'sagu', a cutting tool) + buck (from old english 'bucca', a male deer or goat).