fat hen
LowInformal, Rural, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
A common name for a widespread edible weed plant, Chenopodium album.
Informal term for the plant, sometimes used as a mild, humorous insult for a lazy or overweight person, or metaphorically for something plentiful or easily obtained.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a botanical term. Its figurative and pejorative uses are now largely archaic or regional, but still understood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'fat hen' is a recognized common name for the plant, especially in historical and foraging contexts. In the US, the plant is more commonly called 'lamb's quarters' or 'pigweed'; 'fat hen' is rare and understood primarily by botanists or gardeners familiar with British terms.
Connotations
In the UK, the term may evoke countryside, foraging, or historical use as a food source. In the US, it sounds like a Britishism or an obscure folk name.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both variants. Higher recognition in UK due to historical foraging literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[fat hen] grows [adverb/prepositional phrase]to forage for [fat hen]to be [like/as common as] fat henVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[as common/plentiful as] fat hen”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical, historical, or foraging texts.
Everyday
Rarely used except by foragers, gardeners, or in specific rural/regional contexts.
Technical
Used in botany and ethnobotany.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The fat hen leaves are best picked young.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a green plant in the garden.
- This wild plant is called fat hen and you can eat it.
- Foragers often seek out fat hen, as its leaves are nutritious and abundant in waste places.
- The historian noted that 'fat hen' was a staple pot-herb for the poor in medieval Europe, its very name a testament to its use in fattening poultry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plump chicken (hen) that eats well – the plant was historically fed to poultry to fatten them.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUNDANCE IS PLENTIFUL WEED (e.g., 'Opportunities grew like fat hen').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'толстая курица'. For the plant, use 'марь белая' or 'лебеда'. The insult sense does not directly map.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a common modern insult (archaic).
- Capitalizing it (it's not a proper noun).
- Assuming it's widely recognized in the US.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern meaning of 'fat hen'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, it could be a mild, humorous insult for a lazy or plump person, but this usage is now very archaic. It is primarily a plant name.
Yes, the leaves and seeds of Chenopodium album (fat hen) are edible and nutritious, similar to spinach, but should be foraged with proper identification.
The name originates from its historical use as a feed for poultry to fatten them up.
The plant is very common, but it is almost universally called 'lamb's quarters' or 'pigweed' in the US. The name 'fat hen' is rarely used.