This article will focus on the meaning of the idiom "wet chicken". Where did this expression come from and why exactly was the chicken "honored" to be mentioned in this catchphrase?
Origin of phraseologism
Russian people are very observant. He notices all the phenomena of nature, the behavior of animals, correlates with each other certain manifestations of living and inanimate creatures in the environment. Watching nature, people come up with wise phrases that later become “winged.”
As you know, a chicken is a poultry that brings many benefits to a person. She gives eggs and meat, so many people, having their own household, keep these birds in their yard. It has not gone unnoticed by people that when a chicken gets caught in the rain, it looks miserable. Unlike waterfowl, its feathers quickly get wet and stick to the body. A wet chicken is pitiful because it looks confused and drooping. The origin of this phraseological unit is due to the fact that the image of a wet chicken very accurately characterizes the state of helplessness and depression.
"Wet Chicken":phraseological unit meaning
This phrase can be used in two ways. In the first, it denotes a weak-willed and spineless person who is not capable of independent decisions and actions. In a word, it characterizes non-initiative people. Just as a wet chicken does not give the impression of a confident bird, so a person who is called a "wet chicken" is considered weak and spineless.
In the second meaning, "wet chicken" refers to a person who is very confused and has a pitiful appearance, i.e. looks like a chicken after the rain. Anyone, even the strongest and most confident person, can find themselves in a position where unforeseen circumstances unsettle them.
In the first meaning, the general emotional coloring of the phraseologism is dismissive. Calling someone such a phrase, we show our disrespect and disapproval to a person, since weak-willed people usually do not enjoy respect in society.
In the second meaning, the emotional coloring of the phrase is more sympathetic, since a person who is in a difficult situation, confused and depressed, evokes pity.
Interesting facts
Not everyone knows the fact that when a chicken wanted to become a hen, and the hostess did not plan to breed chickens, a certain procedure was performed with the bird. She was dipped in a barrel of cold water several times.
After all these unpleasant procedures, the birdbecame lethargic and lethargic. She remained in this state for quite a long period of time. The chicken lost its desire to breed its offspring, it became depressed and weak-willed. This fact probably also served as an impetus for the birth of the phraseological unit “wet chicken”, which characterizes the lack of will.
There is also a proverb among the people about wet chicken. It sounds like this: "Wet chicken, but also rooster." It talks about a person who is pathetic and weak-willed, but tries to build something substantial out of himself. Such people have never inspired respect, so they are compared to a drooping, wet bird, which, apart from pity, evokes no other emotions.
Conclusion
Why do people get so sunk into the soul of a wet chicken? Phraseologism born from this phrase helps to accurately characterize a person who is weak-willed or has a miserable appearance. As soon as we pronounce this phrase, the image of an unfortunate and drooping bird immediately emerges, the feathers of which stuck together and stuck to the calf. No animal looks as pathetic as a chicken caught in the rain. That is why this image became a household name and served as an impetus for the birth of phraseology.
