Slang and its analogues past and present, volume 3 (of 7)

by John Stephen Farmer; William Ernest Henley

1762. Foote, Liar, iii., 2. Why, what a dastardly, hen-hearted——But come, Papillion, this shall be your last campaign. [[304]]

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.

1812. Johnson, Eng. Dict., s.v. Hen-hearted … a low word.

1815. Scott, Guy Mannering, ch. xxviii. Are you turned hen-hearted, Jack?

Hen-house, subs. (old).—See quot.

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hen-house, a house where the woman rules, called also a she-house.

Hen of the game. See Game.

Hen-party (Convention- or Tea-), subs. (common).—An assemblage of women for political or social purposes. Cf., Bull or Stag-party. Also, Bitch-, Tabby-, and Cat-party.

Hen-pecked, adj. (old: now recognised).—Petticoat government; ruled by a woman.

1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Henpeckt Friggat, whose Commander and Officers are absolutely sway’d by their Wives. Ibid. Henpeckt Husband, whose Wife wears the Breeches.