Claire Thompson
The term chicken has been used to refer to a coward since the 14th century. The Old English word cicen, meaning young fowl, is the origin of the word chicken. The earliest written use of the word in this context comes from William Shakespeare's play Cymbeline, written around 1616, where he writes, Forthwith they fly, Chickens, describing soldiers fleeing a battlefield. However, domestic fowl had been associated with a lack of bravery long before the 17th century, with one play from around 1450 describing a coward as a henne-harte. The stereotype of the chicken as a cowardly creature is due to the perceived characteristics of female chickens, which are similar to stereotypes of women – subdued and faint-hearted, in contrast to the valour and power of male chickens or roosters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First written instance of the word chicken in the craven sense | William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, circa 1616 |
| Domestic fowl association with an absence of bravery | Before the 17th century |
| Coward description | "Henne-harte" in a play from around 1450 |
| Poet John Skelton's "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte" (1529) | |
| "Chicken-hearted" in W Godwin's Caleb Williams (1794) | |
| "Chicken-hearted" in T Betterton's Match in Newgate (1680) | |
| "Chicken-livered" in Westmoreland Gazette (1835) | |
| Stereotypes | Size and vulnerability |
| Perceived perkiness | |
| Gender | |
| Early use | To mean a girl or woman |
| To mean a fool | |
| Use in slang | Chicken-nabob, chicken-neck, chicken-preacher, chicken-chaser, chicken-hustler, chicken-player, chickenbone special, chicken-eater, etc. |
| Use as a term of endearment | Common in Welsh English |
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What You'll Learn
'Chicken' as a term of endearment
The term "chicken" has been used as an insult, suggesting cowardice, since at least the 14th century. The Old English "cicen", meaning "young fowl", is the origin of the word "chicken". In William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline", written around 1616, he describes soldiers fleeing a battlefield as "chickens". This is the earliest written instance of the word being used in this way, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. However, the association between domestic fowl and a lack of bravery predates the 17th century. For example, in a play from around 1450, a coward was described as a "henne-harte".
The term "chicken" may also be used as a term of endearment, especially when referring to a young woman. In the 19th and 20th centuries, "chicken" was used in American English to refer to a young woman, especially a prostitute, or young women collectively. In the context of sexual intercourse, "chicken" was used to refer to a young or underage boy. The term "chicken" has also been used to refer to a close friend or "buddy", as seen in 19th-century US military jargon.
The use of "chicken" as a term of endearment may be related to the bird's social nature and its prominence in folklore, religion, and literature. Chickens are known for their complex vocalizations and behaviours, and they have been domesticated for over 8,000 years, making them one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals in the world.
In conclusion, while "chicken" is often used as an insult to suggest cowardice, it can also be used as a term of endearment, especially when referring to a young woman or a close friend. The context and tone of the speaker will usually make the intended meaning clear.
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'Chicken' meaning coward
The term "chicken" has been used to describe cowards since at least the 17th century. The earliest written record of this usage is from William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline", circa 1616, where he writes, "Forthwith they fly, Chickens," to describe soldiers fleeing a battlefield.
The usage of "chicken" to mean "coward" may have originated from the earlier use of the word "hen" to describe a timid or submissive person, which was often contrasted with "cock" to describe someone dominant or valiant. This juxtaposition 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 adjective "chicken-livered," meaning cowardly or timid, appeared in the early 19th century. The first OED example is from a New York City newspaper in 1804: "I am resolved, and they will find me no chicken-livered fellow." The phrase "to play chicken" also originated from this usage, referring to a contest of nerve where two cars drive towards each other or an obstacle, with the loser being the driver who turns away first.
The term "chicken" to describe a coward has been used in literature and popular culture for centuries. In addition to Shakespeare, William Kemp's "Nine Days' Wonder" (1600) includes the line: "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib." In W Godwin's "Caleb Williams" (1794), the author writes: "You are not such a chicken as to suppose, if so be as you are innocent, that that will make your game altogether sure."
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'Chicken' meaning fool
The term "chicken" has been used to refer to a "fool" or "coward" for centuries. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest written use of "chicken" in this context appears in William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline," circa 1616. In the play, Shakespeare writes, "Forthwith they fly, Chickens," describing soldiers fleeing a battlefield.
However, the association between chickens and a lack of bravery dates back even further. For example, a play from around 1450 described a coward as a "henne-harte," and in 1529, poet John Skelton compared some courtiers to "hen-hearted cuckolds" in his poem "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte." Hens may have been seen as particularly timid in comparison to the typically bold rooster.
Over time, the term "chicken" has become a common synonym for "coward", often used to describe someone who refuses a dare or backs down from a challenge. It is interesting to note that the word "chicken" has also been used as a term of endearment or playful reproach, especially towards children, indicating a sense of foolishness or naivete.
In modern usage, calling someone a "chicken" can be a lighthearted jab or a more serious insult, depending on the context and tone in which it is delivered. It is often used in a playful manner, implying that the person is acting in a cowardly or foolish manner. However, when used in a more serious or derogatory context, it can be intended to cause harm or insult the person's character.
Overall, the term "chicken" meaning "fool" has a long history and has evolved to become a common expression in modern language, often used to describe someone who lacks courage or displays foolish behavior.
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'Chicken' as a stereotype
Chickens are social animals with complex vocalizations and behaviours. They feature prominently in folklore, religion, and literature across many societies. The term "chicken" has been used to refer to a person who is easily scared or a coward since at least the 14th century. The Old English "cicen", meaning "young fowl", is the source of the word's usage as an insult. The earliest example of this equation on record is the compound adjective "chicken-hearted", which first appeared in William Godwin's 1794 novel "Caleb Williams".
The fried chicken stereotype is a racist trope that has its roots in the American Civil War and traditional slave foods. Enslaved people were only allowed to raise chickens, so they became a popular and important source of food. The popularity of fried chicken in the Southern United States and its portrayal in films like "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) contributed to the development of this stereotype. Restaurants like Sambo's and Coon Chicken Inn further commercialized the stereotype through their use of exaggerated depictions of Black people as mascots.
Since the American Civil War, fried chicken has been stereotyped as a food particularly loved by African Americans, along with watermelon and chitterlings. This stereotype has been perpetuated by organizations serving fried chicken during Black History Month and making racially insensitive references, such as "Obama Fried Chicken". Public figures like Tiger Woods have also been targeted with fried chicken-related remarks.
The fried chicken stereotype is a sensitive issue that has been considered pejorative by some. It is a way to express racial contempt without facing serious consequences. This double standard, where fried chicken is both a taboo and a corporate mainstream thing, demonstrates the complicated nature of race in America.
In addition to the fried chicken stereotype, there are other stereotypes of African Americans that have evolved within American society over time. These include the portrayal of black men as criminals, drug dealers, and social degenerates, and black women as "welfare queens" or "angry black women". These stereotypes are connected to the racism and discrimination faced by African Americans and date back to the slavery of black people during the colonial era.
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'Chicken' as slang
The term "chicken" has been used in a variety of ways in slang, with its meanings determined by stereotypes of size and vulnerability, as well as its perceived "perkiness". The primary uses of the term remain those that suggest weakness or cowardice.
The earliest written instance of the word "chicken" being used to describe a craven or cowardly person comes from William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline", written around 1616. In it, he writes, "Forthwith they fly, Chickens," describing soldiers fleeing a battlefield. However, domestic fowl had been associated with a lack of bravery long before the 17th century. For example, in a play from around 1450, a coward was described as a "henne-harte", and in 1529, poet John Skelton compared some courtiers to "hen-hearted cuckolds" in his poem "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte".
The term "chicken" may have become associated with cowardice due to the perceived differences in behaviour between hens and roosters, with the latter typically being characterised as plucky and valiant. When people began using the term "hen" to describe submissive or cowardly people in the 1600s, it was often juxtaposed with the term "cock", which was used to describe leaders or dominant figures.
Over time, the term "chicken" evolved to have various other slang meanings beyond simply referring to a cowardly person. It can also refer to a young woman, especially a prostitute, or to sexual intercourse with a young woman. The term "chicken" has also been used to describe an unattractive or aggressive woman, a merchant who has returned from India with moderate wealth, and a close friend or buddy. In the context of gay slang, "chicken" can refer to an underage boy who is the subject of fellatio or an underage male prostitute who betrays his adult contacts to the police.
Additionally, "chicken" is used as a term of endearment, particularly in Welsh English, Australian English, and among older individuals in some parts of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "you're a chicken" is derived from the Old English term "cicen", which was used to describe a young fowl. Over time, the term took on a negative connotation, with "chicken" being associated with being cowardly or timid, likely due to the perceived timidity of female chickens compared to their male counterparts.
The earliest written instance of the word "chicken" being used in this context comes from William Shakespeare's "Cymbeline", circa 1616. However, the association of domestic fowl with a lack of bravery dates back earlier, with poet John Skelton using the phrase "hen-hearted cuckolds" in his poem "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte" in 1529.
Yes, some sources suggest that the term may have evolved from the phrase chicken-hearted, which was used as early as 1522, or chicken-livered, which was used in 1835. These phrases further emphasize the association between chickens and cowardice.
Yes, "chicken" is sometimes used as a term of endearment, especially in Welsh English and Australian English. However, it is less common among younger people in these regions.
The word "chicken" has had various interesting uses throughout history. For example, it has been used to describe a young woman, a prostitute, or a close friend. The term has also been used in slang expressions like "chicken-chaser" or "chicken-player", often referring to forms of dare-devilry or foolish behaviour.
