Sophie Bennett
The phrase choke up chicken is an obsolete British-English saying that was used to console a child choking over their food. The earliest occurrence of the phrase is from a book published in 1738 by the Irish satirist, poet, and Anglican cleric Jonathan Swift. The book is a satire on the use of clichés, and the phrase choke up chicken is used to encourage a child to continue coughing and clear their airway. The saying has also been associated with masturbation, specifically for men, in modern slang.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Consolatory phrase addressed to choking children |
| Synonyms | Choak away, the church yard's near |
| Variants | Choke chicken, more hatching; Choke up, chicken, more a hatching; Choke up, the church-yard's nigh |
| Origin | First recorded in a 1738 book by Jonathan Swift, composed in the early 18th century |
| Modern Usage | Slang for male masturbation |
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What You'll Learn
Consolatory phrase for choking
The phrase "choke up chicken" or "choke, chicken: more are hatching" is an obsolete British English phrase used to console a child who is choking over their food. The phrase was first recorded in a book by Jonathan Swift, published in 1738 but composed in the early 18th century. This book is a satire on the use of clichés, and the phrase itself is a variation of the proverb, "As good fish remain in the sea as ever came out of it".
The phrase has also been used to refer to the act of massaging a chicken's neck to induce regurgitation, also known as "emptying a chicken's crop".
It is important to note that the phrase "choking the chicken" is also used colloquially to refer to male masturbation. This usage is completely separate from the consolatory phrase and has no direct relation to the act of choking or to chickens.
- "Take your time and breathe slowly."
- "Try to relax and don't panic."
- "It will be okay, just stay calm."
- "I'm here to help, let's get through this together."
- "Focus on taking steady, deep breaths."
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Variations of the phrase
The phrase "choke up chicken" has several variations and meanings. One of the earliest occurrences of the phrase appeared in Jonathan Swift's "A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation," published in 1738. In this context, "choke up chicken, more a-hatching" was used to console a child who was choking over their food.
The phrase has also been used to refer to the act of masturbation, specifically among men. This usage is reflected in Urban Dictionary definitions and slang terms.
In addition, there are various other sayings that include the words "choke" and "chicken." For example, "choke, chicken: more are hatching," which is an old British-English phrase, and "choke up, the church yard's nigh," found in a collection of English proverbs published in 1678.
The phrase "choke the chicken" has also been used in a more literal sense, referring to the act of massaging a chicken's neck to induce regurgitation, also known as "emptying a chicken's crop."
These variations of the phrase "choke up chicken" showcase its diverse usage and evolution over time, with some instances carrying a lighthearted tone, while others are more explicit in nature.
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Origin in the 18th century
The phrase "choke up chicken" or “choke, chicken: more are hatching” was first recorded in the 18th century. It was published in London in 1738 but composed in the first decade of the 18th century. The book, titled 'A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation', was a satire on the use of clichés. It was authored by the Irish satirist, poet, and Anglican cleric Jonathan Swift (1667-1745). The phrase was used to console a child choking over their food or to address someone who had a violent fit of coughing or swallowed something the wrong way.
The phrase then appeared in "Proverbs communicated by Mʳ Andrew Paschall of Chedsey in Somersetshire", published by the English naturalist and theologian John Ray (1627-1705) in 1678. The phrase was listed as "Choak up, the Church-yard's nigh", with "choak" being a variant of "choke". This version of the phrase was also used to address someone who was choking or coughing.
The phrase "choke, chicken: more are hatching" has also been associated with Shropshire sayings. It was reportedly used by an elderly woman who was the daughter of a Salopian farmer and had died at the age of seventy-eight. This phrase was considered a variation of the proverb, "As good fish remain in the sea as ever came out of it."
Over time, the phrase "choke up chicken" or "choke, chicken" has become obsolete in British English. However, it continues to be a part of folk history and local proverbs, with various theories and stories associated with its origin and usage.
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Use in modern times
The phrase "choke up a chicken" is believed to have originated from an old method of preparing a chicken for cooking by choking it to death, with the idea that the meat would be tenderized by the bird's death throes. While this method may have been common in the past, modern cooks typically prefer more humane methods of poultry preparation. However, the phrase has endured and evolved to take on a new meaning in modern times.
In modern usage, the phrase "choking up" or "choke up" is often used figuratively to describe a situation where someone is so emotionally overwhelmed that they cannot speak or act. For example, a person might say, "I was so touched by the kind gesture that I choked up and couldn't find the words to express my gratitude." In this context, "choking up" conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by strong feelings, causing a physical reaction that makes it difficult to speak or perform certain actions.
The phrase is also commonly used in sports, particularly baseball. When a batter "chokes up on the bat," they grip the bat closer to the barrel, reducing the leverage and increasing control over the bat. This technique is often employed when a player wants to make more precise contact with the ball or when trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Choking up on the bat is seen as a way to improve accuracy and control rather than focusing on pure power.
In addition, the phrase has found its way into casual conversations as a way to express surprise or disbelief. For instance, someone might say, "I was so shocked by the news that I choked up a chicken," meaning they were utterly flabbergasted. This usage plays on the idea of being so surprised that one doesn't know how to react, similar to the feeling of emotional overwhelm described earlier.
While the original meaning of "choke up a chicken" may be unfamiliar to most people today, the phrase has evolved to take on new life in various contexts. Whether it's used to describe emotional overwhelm, precision in sports, or simply to convey surprise, the phrase continues to be a part of our modern lexicon, adding color and expression to our daily conversations. These examples showcase how language evolves, adapting old phrases to fit new situations and maintaining a connection to the past while remaining relevant in the present.
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Similar slang terms
The phrase "choke up chicken" is an obsolete British-English phrase that was used to console a child choking over their food. It was also said whenever someone coughed. The phrase is also used as slang for male masturbation. Similar slang terms for masturbation include:
- Taking the dog for a walk
- Jerking off
- Wanking
- Spanking the monkey
- Pleasing oneself
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Frequently asked questions
"Choking up chicken" is an obsolete British-English phrase that was said to a child who was choking on their food.
The phrase was first published in a book by Jonathan Swift in 1738, though it was composed in the first decade of the 18th century.
A variation of the proverb is "Choke chicken, more hatching," which is similar in meaning to "As good fish remain in the sea as ever came out of it."
In modern times, the phrase "choking the chicken" is slang for male masturbation.
Some other ways to say "choking the chicken" include "beating the bishop," "slapping the salami," "wacking off," and "jacking off."
