Chicken. It’s one of the most common domesticated animals, with around 19 billion chickens in the world. But in English, calling someone a “chicken” often carries a negative connotation. The phrase “are you chicken?” is a common idiom used to imply someone is afraid or cowardly. Let’s break down the meaning and origins of this expression.
What Does “Are You Chicken?” Mean?
When someone asks “are you chicken?”, they are insinuating that you are too scared or afraid to do something. Synonyms for being chicken include being cowardly, spineless, gutless, or a scaredy cat. The opposite of being chicken is being brave or courageous.
Here’s an example conversation using this idiom:
“I dared Jeff to jump off the high dive, but he refused.”
“Oh he’s just being chicken.”
So calling someone chicken means they lack the nerve or boldness to follow through on an action, usually because it involves some risk.
Origins of the Idiom
This idiom draws a comparison between a person’s behavior and the tendencies of chickens. Chickens are easily frightened animals that will run away from humans and perceived threats. Their skittish nature is likely the origin for why chicken became associated with cowardice.
The first known usage of “chicken” meaning a cowardly person dates back to the 1870s. By the 1930s, phrases like “you’re chicken” and “don’t be chicken” had emerged.
Interestingly, the word chicken was also 1920s American slang for a young or inexperienced person, derived from a “chicken” being an immature chicken. So at times, calling someone chicken was implying they were inexperienced rather than afraid.
Common Ways to Use This Idiom
There are a few common forms of this idiom in everyday English:
- You’re chicken!
- You’re just a big chicken.
- Don’t be chicken.
- She was too chicken to raise her hand in class.
- I double dare you to do it, unless you’re chicken.
It can also be used humorously or affectionately between friends, especially to goad someone into doing something adventurous or risky:
Friend 1: I don’t want to go bungee jumping, it seems scary.
Friend 2: Oh come on, don’t be chicken, it’ll be fun!
The key is that “chicken” is always used as an adjective to describe someone’s fearful or cowardly behavior. You wouldn’t refer to someone as “a chicken.”
Other Usages Related to Chickens
The association of chickens with cowardice has spawned a few other idioms:
- To “chicken out” on something means to back out or withdraw out of fear.
- A “game of chicken” refers to a daring contest where opponents drive straight at each other, with the loser being the one who swerves first.
- Someone can also “have the courage of a chicken” meaning they have no courage at all.
So next time someone asks if you’re chicken, you’ll know they’re not questioning your poultry knowledge, but rather your nerve! With the rich history behind this idiom, calling someone chicken likely won’t fly the coop anytime soon.
What´s wrong McFly? Chicken?
FAQ
What is the meaning of “are you chicken”?
If someone calls you a chicken, they mean that you are afraid to do something. [informal, disapproval] I’m scared of the dark. I’m a big chicken. Chicken is also an adjective.
What does “chicken” mean in slang?
Why do people say “Are you chicken”?
Being called chicken is short for chicken out meaning being a coward or back out (because of fear) and is considered a challenge.
What are some easy ways to cook chicken?
Browse these many ways to cook chicken. Preheat the oven and grab your baking sheet ( we recommend this brand ), 13×9 pan or oven-safe skillet. The options for how to bake chicken are endless: chicken parm, stuffed chicken breasts, crispy drumsticks…the list goes on. Use your slow cooker to get juicy, tender chicken that falls apart like that.
What is chicken considered?
chicken, ( Gallus gallus ), any of more than 60 breeds of medium-sized poultry that are primarily descended from the wild red jungle fowl ( Gallus gallus, family Phasianidae, order Galliformes) of India. The chicken is perhaps the most widely domesticated fowl, raised worldwide for its meat and eggs.
What is the difference between a rooster and a cockerel?
A male chicken is called a rooster. Roosters under 1 year old are often referred to as a cockerel, while those over 1 year old are called cocks. A capon is a male chicken that has been castrated. This is done to make the bird grow faster and have more fat. They are raised for the sole purpose of being slaughtered for their tender meat.