chickenshit
What does chickenshit mean? chickenshit is a English moderate that translates to “coward / cowardly” in English.
Literal Translation
chicken feces
Meaning & Usage
"coward / cowardly"
Calls someone a coward while also implying they're petty and insignificant. 'Chicken' alone means cowardly; adding 'shit' downgrades them further. A chickenshit person isn't just afraid — they're afraid of things that aren't even worth being afraid of.
Examples in the Wild
When someone won't stand up for themselves in a low-stakes situation: 'He wouldn't even ask for a raise, the chickenshit.'
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
American military slang originally, referring to petty regulations and the officers who enforced them. Paul Fussell's WWII memoir distinguished between being 'scared shitless' (reasonable fear in combat) and 'chickenshit' (bureaucratic cowardice). The military distinction gave the word a specificity that separates it from just calling someone a coward.
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