chicken adder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare / ObscureInformal, Colloquial, Potentially Humorous
Quick answer
What does “chicken adder” mean?
An informal, rare term referring to a person who is easily scared or a coward, especially in a playful or teasing context. It's not a standard term but can be understood through the compound words.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal, rare term referring to a person who is easily scared or a coward, especially in a playful or teasing context. It's not a standard term but can be understood through the compound words.
Could be interpreted as someone who 'adds' or contributes to chicken-like (cowardly) behaviour, or as a slang term for someone who is fearful and perhaps makes excuses to avoid something. The phrase is largely non-standard and likely used in very specific regional or colloquial settings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obscure in both varieties. No established difference.
Connotations
If used, it would likely be humorous or teasing, not seriously insulting.
Frequency
Virtually unattested in corpora. Not in standard dictionaries.
Grammar
How to Use “chicken adder” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + a chicken adder.Don't + verb phrase + like a chicken adder.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Extremely rare, potentially humorous taunt among friends.
Technical
Never used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicken adder”
- Using it as if it's a standard term.
- Confusing it with 'chicken adder' as a type of snake (which is not a real zoological term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a standard lexical item found in dictionaries. It is a possible but extremely rare and informal compound based on the slang word 'chicken' for a coward.
Absolutely not. It is informal, obscure, and would not be understood by most readers. Use standard terms like 'cowardly' or 'timid' instead.
There is no established etymology. It is likely a spontaneous, playful combination of words ('chicken' = coward + 'adder' = one who adds, or a misapprehension) created in casual speech.
Probably not in any direct sense. The 'adder' part is more likely from the verb 'to add', suggesting someone who 'adds' to chicken-like behaviour. A snake interpretation would make the phrase nonsensical.
An informal, rare term referring to a person who is easily scared or a coward, especially in a playful or teasing context. It's not a standard term but can be understood through the compound words.
Chicken adder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkɪn ˈædə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkɪn ˈædər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chicken doing maths: a 'chicken adder' is too scared to give the correct sum, so it 'adds' to its own cowardice.
Conceptual Metaphor
COWARDICE IS BEING A CHICKEN / FEAR IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR (to one's behaviour).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'chicken adder'?