The Chicken: From Courage To Cowardice

The word chicken has long been used as a synonym for cowardice, dating back to the 16th century. The stereotype of chickens as cowardly may stem from their perceived vulnerability and size, as well as their cautious nature when encountering new objects or situations. Interestingly, some people who have owned chickens disagree with this stereotype, citing instances of their birds displaying bravery in standing up to cats, dogs, and even hawks. Despite this, the association of chickens with cowardice persists in popular culture, as seen in phrases like playing chicken and various examples of slang and literature.

Chickens are cautious, but not cowardly

Chickens have long been appreciated, and their symbolism varies across cultures. While they are often associated with cowardice, this may be an unfair characterization. The stereotype likely stems from perceptions of their size and vulnerability, as well as their cautious nature. However, many chicken owners have shared anecdotes of their birds' bravery, challenging the notion that they are cowardly.

The earliest known use of "chicken" to describe cowardice dates back to the year 1600. The phrase appears in William Kemp's "Nine Days' Wonder": "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib." Since then, the association has been prevalent in slang and literature. Compounds like "chicken-hearted" and "chicken-livered" further emphasize the connection with cowardice.

However, chickens are not inherently cowardly creatures. While they may be cautious about exploring new things and expanding their territory, they can also display remarkable courage. Several accounts describe chickens defending their flock against cats, dogs, and even hawks. Roosters, in particular, are known for their aggressive behaviour and protective instincts.

The perception of chickens as cowardly may stem from their tendency to run away or hide when startled or faced with potential danger. For example, they may react strongly to unexpected movements or unfamiliar objects in their environment. However, this behaviour is not necessarily indicative of cowardice but rather a cautious and survival-oriented approach to new stimuli.

In conclusion, while chickens have become synonymous with cowardice in slang and popular culture, their actual behaviour is more nuanced. They exhibit a balance between caution and courage, suggesting that their reputation for cowardice may be unfounded. The label "chicken" to describe cowardice may be more influenced by stereotypes and perceptions than the true nature of these birds.

Stereotypes of size and vulnerability

The stereotype of chickens as cowardly likely stems from their stereotypes of size and vulnerability. Chickens are often viewed as diminutive and weak, which may contribute to the perception of them as cowardly. This perception can be traced back to early uses of the word "chicken" to refer to a girl or woman, implying cuteness, fluffiness, and submissiveness.

However, it is worth noting that chickens have also been associated with bravery and valour, particularly in the context of roosters, which have been considered symbols of valour. Some people have even shared anecdotes of their pet chickens exhibiting brave behaviour, such as standing up to cats, dogs, and humans, and protecting their flock from predators.

The idea of chickens as cowardly may have emerged from their cautious nature and tendency to run away from potential threats. Chickens are known to be skittish and easily startled, which can be interpreted as a sign of fear or cowardice. They are also cautious when exploring new things and expanding their territory, which may contribute to the perception of them as timid or cowardly.

The first recorded use of "chicken" to mean "coward" dates back to the year 1600, as seen in William Kemp's "Nine Days' Wonder": "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib." The phrase "chicken-hearted" is another early example of this equation, appearing in Skelton's "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte?" in 1522.

Over time, the association between chickens and cowardice became more prevalent, as seen in various literary works and slang usage. By the 1920s, the word "chicken" was commonly used to describe someone who was cowardly, and it continues to be used in this context today.

Early use of chicken to mean a woman

The word "chicken" has been used to refer to a woman or girl, with the term “chick” being derived from it. The usage of "chick" to refer to a young woman was first recorded in 1927 in "Elmer Gantry", supposedly from U.S. black slang. It came into British use around 1940 and was later popularized by Beatniks in the late 1950s. The term "chick" is considered derogatory by many women, as its primary meaning refers to a young bird, especially of domestic fowl, or a baby chicken. While chicks are cute and fluffy, they are also associated with stupidity, which gives the term negative connotations.

The use of "chicken" to refer to a woman or girl can be traced back to Arthurian times, around 932 AD. In William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the character Macduff laments the death of "all my pretty chickens and their dam". This usage is also preserved in place names such as the Hen and Chicken Islands.

The association between chickens and cowardice may stem from their perceived cautious nature when exploring new things and expanding their territory. However, some people argue that chickens are not cowardly and can be brave, even to the point of stupidity. Chickens have been observed to defend their flock against threats, such as cats, dogs, or humans, and will viciously protect their young.

The first recorded use of "chicken" to refer to a coward was in 1600, in W. Kemp's Nine Days' Wonder: "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib."

Chicken used in literature to describe cowards

The word "chicken" has been used to describe cowards for centuries. The earliest written instance of the word "chicken" being used in this context comes from William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline", which was published in 1611 and described soldiers fleeing a battlefield as "chickens". Shakespeare also wrote of "pigeon-hearted" people, but this phrase did not catch on in the same way.

Before Shakespeare, in the mid-16th century, the term "cock" was used as a compliment for a leader, a dauntless warrior, or a dominant presence. However, when people started using the term "hen" to describe submissive or cowardly people in the 1600s, it was often juxtaposed with "cock". This can be seen in the closing stanza of a late 17th-century ballad known as "Taylor's Lamentation":

> "Ever since then she bears such a sway,\

That I am forc’d her Laws to obey.\

She is the Cock and I am the Hen,\

This is my case, Oh! pity me then."

The sexist subtext of this ballad is clear, with female chickens, like female humans, characterised as subdued and faint-hearted in comparison to their valiant and powerful male counterparts. Fortunately, the less gendered phrase "chicken" won out over time, though the reason for this shift is not entirely clear.

The use of "chicken" to describe cowards may have caught on because the term also worked as a general insult. For example, in 1600, W. Kemp's "Nine Days’ Wonder" included the line:

> "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib."

Additionally, some have suggested that chickens were associated with a lack of bravery because they are easily spooked by new or unfamiliar things. However, others have disputed this idea, arguing that chickens are not actually cowardly and may even be brave to the point of stupidity.

Compounds like chicken-hearted and chicken-livered

The word "chicken" has been used to describe cowardice since at least 1600, as evidenced by a quote from W. Kemp's "Nine Days' Wonder": "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib." However, some sources claim that the first known use of the word "chicken-hearted" was in 1629.

Chicken-hearted is an adjective that means cowardly, timid, or showing a shameful lack of courage. It is often used to describe someone who is too afraid to take action or speak up, even when they know that a terrible injustice is being committed. For example, in the sentence "He was too chicken-hearted to accompany me on this perilous journey."

Similarly, the term "chicken-livered" is also used to describe someone who is cowardly or fainthearted. This compound word is often used to criticise those in positions of power or influence who fail to take bold action, such as a "chicken-livered newspaper editor who was afraid to take on the town's powerful business elite."

The use of "chicken" to describe cowardice may stem from the perception that chickens are cautious creatures that are easily scared by new or unfamiliar things. However, some chicken owners disagree with this characterisation, arguing that their chickens are brave and willing to defend their flock against perceived threats.

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