Emily Carter
The term chicken hawk is used to describe someone who strongly supports war or warlike policies but has never served in the military. The term is a compound of chicken (meaning coward) and hawk from war hawk (meaning someone who advocates war). Critics argue that the term is used as a form of whataboutism and hypocrisy in place of arguments against military action. The term was popularized during the Vietnam War and has been used to describe modern political figures such as John Bolton, Donald Trump, and George W. Bush.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political term | Chickenhawk |
| Used in | The United States |
| Meaning | A person who is a war hawk but avoids military service |
| Implication | Chickenhawks lack the bravery to participate in war |
| Synonyms | War wimp |
| Origin | Compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates war") |
| Examples | John Bolton, Donald Trump, Dick Cheney, George W Bush |
| Criticism | Used as a form of whataboutism instead of arguments against military action |
| Seen as a fallacy by some | |
| Considered a slur against the LGBTQ community by some |
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What You'll Learn
A political term used to describe a war hawk who avoids military service
"Chicken hawk" is a political term used to describe someone who strongly supports war or warlike policies but has never served in the military. The term is a compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" from "war hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates war"). The implication is that chicken hawks lack the bravery to participate in war themselves and would rather have others fight and die in their place.
The term "chicken hawk" is often used as a form of ad hominem or whataboutism, and critics argue that it is a fallacy that undermines fundamental values of representative democracy. However, others defend the use of the term, arguing that it exposes a species of hypocrisy.
The term "chicken hawk" or "war wimp" first emerged during the Vietnam War to describe those who promoted war but avoided military service. In modern times, it has been used to criticise neoconservatives and the rush-to-war Militant Right, with figures such as John Bolton, Donald Trump, Dick Cheney, and George W. Bush being labelled as chicken hawks.
Chicken-hawkism is the belief that advocating war from a distance demonstrates personal courage and strength, while opposing war is a sign of cowardice and weakness. This belief has been associated with the increasing distance between the American public and the military, with fewer Americans having direct experience of military service.
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A compound of 'chicken' (meaning coward) and 'hawk' (meaning war hawk)
"Chicken hawk" is a political term used in the United States to describe a person who is a war hawk but actively avoids or has avoided military service. The term "chicken" refers to a coward, while a "hawk" is someone who advocates for war. In this context, a "chicken hawk" is a compound word that refers to someone who lacks the bravery to participate in war themselves, instead asking others to fight in their place.
The term "war hawk" developed early in American history to describe those who advocate for war. The compound word "chicken hawk" was popularised by Robert Mason in his 1983 memoir, Chickenhawk, about his experiences as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. Mason used the word as an oxymoron to describe his fear of combat ("chicken") and his attraction to it ("hawk").
The term is often used as a criticism of those who advocate for war but refuse to fight in one. It implies that these individuals are cowardly and hypocritical, lacking the courage of their convictions. However, critics of the term argue that it is a form of whataboutism, a rhetorical device that avoids engaging with the arguments for military action. Instead, the use of "chicken hawk" focuses on the person making the argument, implying that their views are invalid due to their lack of military service.
In addition to its political usage, "chicken hawk" or "chickenhawk" has also become slang in American and British gay culture, referring to older men who seek younger male partners. This usage of the term is often considered a slur and can indicate a man who uses underage boys for sexual pleasure.
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Critics argue the term is used as a form of whataboutism
Chickenhawk is a political term used in the United States to describe a person who is a war hawk yet actively avoids or avoided military service when of age. The term is a compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" from "war hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates war"). The implication is that chickenhawks lack the bravery to participate in war themselves, instead asking others to fight and potentially die in their place.
Critics of the term chickenhawk argue that it is used as a form of whataboutism, a rhetorical strategy that occurs when officials implicated in wrongdoing deflect from the original accusation by providing a counter-example of a similar abuse from the accusing party. Whataboutism is a form of hypocrisy that attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the original criticism. Matthew Yglesias describes the use of the term chickenhawk as "a species of hypocrisy charge, a tempting rhetorical ploy that in practice proves almost nothing." Similarly, commentator and author Jonah Goldberg considers "chickenhawk" to be a fallacy, arguing that "arguments must stand on their own merits, regardless of who delivers them."
Whataboutism is often employed when an argument is viewed as a battle rather than a debate, with the goal of getting one's opponent to concede without making any concessions oneself. The term gained widespread usage in modern times following a 2007 blog post by British journalist Edward Lucas, although it was taught by the sophists in Greece over 2,500 years ago.
In the context of chickenhawk, critics may use the term as a form of whataboutism by deflecting arguments against military action and instead focusing on the advocate's lack of military service. This type of rhetorical strategy can be manipulative and serve to discredit the original argument, regardless of its validity.
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Used in gay culture to describe older men who prefer younger men
The term "chicken hawk" is used in gay culture to describe older men who prefer younger men as partners. This usage of the term is prevalent in both American and British gay culture. The term is sometimes used as a disparaging remark within the LGBTQ community or as a slur against people in that community. The term "chicken" in this context refers to the younger men, who are the prey of the "chicken hawk". Other variations of the term include "chicken queen" and "chicken plucker".
The label "chicken hawk" can be applied to a man who seeks partners with a youthful appearance, regardless of their actual age. The term also indicates a man who uses underage boys for sexual pleasure. The usage of the term in this context was publicized by members of the controversial group NAMBLA in the 1994 documentary film "Chicken Hawk: Men Who Love Boys", although Time magazine had already reported its usage in this sense in 1975.
The term "chicken hawk" has also been used in politics to describe a person who strongly advocates for war but actively avoids military service. The term is a compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" from "war hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates for war"). The implication is that these individuals lack the bravery to participate in war themselves and are willing to ask others to fight and die in their place.
Critics of the term "chicken hawk" argue that it is used as a form of whataboutism and does not contribute to the argument against military action. Some consider it a fallacy, asserting that arguments should be evaluated on their own merits rather than the characteristics of the person making them.
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A hawk that preys on chickens
The phrase "chicken hawk" has several meanings. In this response, I will focus on the definition of "a hawk that preys on chickens."
Hawks are birds of prey that are known for their sharp talons and keen eyesight, which they use to hunt and capture their prey. Some hawks, known as chicken hawks, have a particular reputation for preying on chickens, hence their name. These hawks are a threat to farmers and their flocks, as they can cause significant losses to poultry farms. In the past, certain types of hawks, such as Cooper's hawks, were labelled as chicken hawks due to their perceived preference for preying on chickens. This led to these birds being hunted to near extinction as farmers sought to protect their chickens.
Chicken hawks exhibit specific behaviours when hunting chickens. They often circle overhead, using their keen eyesight to spot potential prey in open areas. These hawks may also perch on trees or fence posts, scanning their surroundings for any signs of movement that could indicate the presence of chickens or other small animals. Chicken hawks typically hunt during the day, taking advantage of their excellent vision to spot their prey from a distance.
The impact of chicken hawks on chicken farms can be significant. A single hawk can kill multiple chickens in a short period, and they may return to the same farm repeatedly if they find a vulnerable flock. Chicken hawks typically target young chicks or weaker members of the flock, making them a particular concern for farmers who rely on the health and safety of their chickens.
Farmers employ various methods to protect their chickens from chicken hawks. One common approach is to use scarecrows, which are human-like figures placed in fields to deter hawks from approaching. Farmers may also use noise-making devices, such as cannons or exploders, to startle the hawks and drive them away. Additionally, some farmers choose to provide shelter for their chickens, such as covered runs or enclosed pens, to make it more difficult for hawks to access their prey.
In conclusion, the term "chicken hawk" specifically refers to hawks that are believed to have a preference for preying on chickens. These hawks pose a significant threat to poultry farms, and farmers must take active measures to protect their flocks. While chicken hawks have been historically hunted due to the perceived threat they pose, it is important to recognise their role in the ecosystem and explore alternative methods of deterrence to ensure the balance between predator and prey is maintained.
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