Lucas Delgado
The word chicken has long been used to describe a person who is cowardly or timid. The earliest written instance of the word chicken in this context comes from William Shakespeare's play Cymbeline, written around 1616, where he describes soldiers fleeing a battlefield as chickens. However, even before Shakespeare, the association between chickens and cowardice existed. The word hen was used as early as the 15th century to describe someone who was cowardly, and the adjective hen-hearted appeared in the early 16th century. The contrast between the perceived bravery of roosters and the timidity of hens may have contributed to the popularization of using chicken as a term for cowardice. While the exact reasons for this association are unclear, it's interesting to note that some chicken owners disagree with this characterization, observing bravery and even aggression in their flocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First use of "chicken" to mean "coward" | 1600, in William Kemp's Nine Days' Wonder |
| First use of "chicken-hearted" | 1602, in Blurt, Master-Constable |
| First use of "chicken-livered" | 1804, in The Corrector |
| First use of "chicken out" | 20th century |
| Earliest use of "hen" to mean "coward" | 1450, in York Mystery Plays |
| Earliest use of "cock" to mean "dominant" | 1450, in York Mystery Plays |
| Earliest use of "hen-hearted" | 1529, in Why Come Ye Nat to Courte by John Skelton |
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What You'll Learn
- The word chicken to mean coward was first used in 1600
- The term may have gained popularity due to its use as a general insult
- Chicken as an insult was used to describe soldiers fleeing a battlefield in Shakespeare's *Cymbeline* (1616)
- The term hen-hearted was used to describe cowards in the early 16th century
- Roosters have historically been characterised as valiant, contrasting with chickens
The word chicken to mean coward was first used in 1600
The word "chicken" to mean "coward" was first used in 1600 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" was first used in the early 17th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, with the earliest written instance of the word "chicken" in the craven sense coming from William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, circa 1616.
The cowardly sense of the noun "chicken" comes from the use of "hen" to describe a fainthearted person, in contrast with "cock" (rooster), which described a dominant person. The earliest example of "hen" in this sense is from the York Mystery Plays, a series of 48 religious works dated before 1450. The adjective "hen-hearted" appeared in the early 16th century. In the early 17th century, the noun "hen" appeared by itself to describe a "cowardly, timid, or spineless person".
The adjective "chicken-livered", meaning cowardly or timid, appeared in the early 19th century. However, similar adjectives like "pigeon-livered" and "pigeon-hearted" showed up in the early 17th century. The phrase "chicken out" appeared in the 20th century.
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The term may have gained popularity due to its use as a general insult
The term "chicken" to describe a coward may have gained popularity due to its use as a general insult. The word "chicken" has been used to describe cowardice for centuries, with the earliest written example found in William Kemp's Nine Days' Wonder, published around 1600. The phrase "a chicken" was used to describe someone who was timid or afraid.
The use of the word "chicken" to describe a coward may have stemmed from the association of hens with submissiveness and cowardice, in contrast to roosters, which were seen as proud, dominant, and valiant. This contrast between the genders of chickens may have contributed to the popularity of the term "chicken" as a general insult. Roosters were characterized as plucky and courageous, while hens were seen as timid and faint-hearted, reflecting societal expectations of men and women during that time.
The idea that chickens are cowardly may also be connected to their cautious nature. While chickens can be brave in certain situations, they are also known for their tendency to run away or hide from perceived threats, as observed by chicken owners. This behavior could have contributed to the perception of chickens as cowardly, further popularizing the use of the term as an insult.
The phrase "chicken-hearted" or "chicken-livered," meaning cowardly or timid, also appeared in the early 17th century, further solidifying the association of chickens with fearfulness. The Oxford English Dictionary cites the York Mystery Plays, dating back to before 1450, as the earliest example of the use of "hen" to describe a coward. Shakespeare's play Cymbeline, circa 1616, also provides an early example of the use of "chicken" in this context, describing soldiers fleeing a battlefield as "Chickens."
Over time, the term "chicken" became a common insult, and its usage evolved to include not only cowardice but also foolishness and stupidity. This evolution may have been influenced by the phrase "goose-as-a-fool," which first appeared around the same time. The versatility of the word "chicken" as an insult may have contributed to its enduring popularity in colloquial language.
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Chicken as an insult was used to describe soldiers fleeing a battlefield in Shakespeare's *Cymbeline* (1616)
The use of the word "chicken" as an insult to describe cowardice dates back to William Shakespeare's play, *Cymbeline*, which was written around 1616. In the play, Shakespeare uses the phrase "Forthwith they fly, Chickens" to describe soldiers fleeing a battlefield. This is considered the earliest written instance of the word "chicken" being used in a craven sense, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Shakespeare's use of the term "chicken" in *Cymbeline* is particularly notable as it contributed to the popularization of the word as an insult for cowards. However, it is important to note that the association between chickens and a lack of bravery existed long before Shakespeare's time. For example, in a play from around 1450, a coward was described as a "henne-harte," and in a poem by John Skelton from around 1529, spineless courtiers were likened to "hen-hearted cuckolds."
The choice of the word "chicken" as an insult may have been influenced by the perception of hens as timid and submissive in contrast to roosters, which were characterized as plucky and valourous. This gendered dynamic is reflected in the language of the time, with powerful leaders and dominant figures being referred to as "cocks" in the mid-16th century.
It is worth mentioning that the word "chicken" also took on a broader meaning of "fool" around the year 1600, which may have contributed to its popularity as an insult. The term "chicken" may have caught on because it served as a general insult, in addition to conveying cowardice.
While Shakespeare's use of "chicken" in *Cymbeline* is significant, it is not the only instance of the word's usage in his works. In the same play, one of the characters, Cloten, is described as "a chicken and a jackass." This usage reinforces the idea of "chicken" as an insult, separate from its specific association with cowardice.
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The term hen-hearted was used to describe cowards in the early 16th century
The use of the term "hen-hearted" to describe cowards can be traced back to the early 16th century. This association between hens and a lack of bravery is believed to have originated from the perception that hens were timid and submissive in comparison to roosters, who were typically characterized as plucky and dominant.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the term "hen-hearted" being used in this context is from a play dated around 1450, where a coward is described as a "henne-harte." Later, in 1529, poet John Skelton used the phrase "hen-hearted cuckolds" in his poem "Why Come Ye Nat to Courte" to describe spineless courtiers.
During the mid-16th century, the term "cock" was used as a compliment to describe leaders, warriors, or anyone with a dominant presence. In contrast, the term "hen" was used to tag submissive or cowardly individuals. This juxtaposition between "cock" and "hen" further reinforced the association of hens with timidity and cowardice.
It is worth noting that while chickens as a species have been associated with cowardice, some chicken owners and enthusiasts argue that their birds can display brave behaviour, especially when defending their flock or offspring. However, the perception of chickens as cowardly may stem from their cautious nature and tendency to flee from perceived threats.
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Roosters have historically been characterised as valiant, contrasting with chickens
The characterisation of roosters as valiant, in contrast to chickens, has historical roots. The earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary for "hen" in a cowardly context is from the York Mystery Plays, a series of 48 religious works dated before 1450. The term “hen-heart" was used to describe a coward. Similarly, in a play from around the same time, a coward was referred to as a "henne-harte". The adjective "hen-hearted" emerged in the early 16th century.
In the early 17th century, the noun "hen" took on a new meaning, describing "a cowardly, timid, or spineless person; (also) anyone who adopts a subservient role, often explicitly contrasted with cock". This sharp contrast between rooster and hen likely contributed to the figurative use of "chicken" to describe cowardice. The earliest written instance of "chicken" in this context is found in William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, circa 1616, where he writes, "Forthwith they fly, Chickens," referring to soldiers fleeing a battlefield.
The association of "cock" or rooster with dominance and bravery was also present in the mid-16th century. If someone displayed leadership qualities or was a fearless warrior, they might be called a "cock" as a compliment. Roosters have been considered a symbol of valour, while chickens have been associated with cowardice. This characterisation may have stemmed from the perception of male and female chickens, with roosters viewed as bold and powerful, and hens seen as subdued and faint-hearted.
However, it is worth noting that some chicken owners disagree with this characterisation, observing that their chickens can be brave, sometimes even bordering on stupidity. Chickens have been known to stand up to cats, dogs, and even humans, carefully assessing their chances of victory before engaging in a fight. While they may exhibit cautious behaviour when exploring new things or expanding their territory, both roosters and hens will fiercely defend their flock when threatened.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "chicken" to describe a coward comes from the use of the word "hen" to describe a timid or cowardly person, contrasted with the word "cock" (rooster) for a dominant person. The earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary for “hen” in its timorous sense is from the York Mystery Plays, a series of 48 religious works dated before 1450.
The first example of the word "chicken" being used to describe a coward comes from William Kemp's Nine Days' Wonder in 1600. The quote goes, "It did him good to have ill words of a hoddy doddy! a hebber de hoy!, a chicken! a squib."
One of the earliest written instances of the word "chicken" being used in a cowardly sense comes from William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, circa 1616. He wrote, "Forthwith they fly, Chickens," to describe soldiers fleeing a battlefield. The term "chicken-hearted" was also used in the early 17th century in the comedy Blurt, Master-Constable (1602) by Thomas Dekker.
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