[Chicken is here, and in the earlier chicken stake, generally taken in the sense of ‘small, comparatively harmless.’ Col. Yule suggests its origination in chickeen, CHEQUEEN, as if a hazard or stake not exceeding that amount.] A game at dice: see HAZARD.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ld. of Thoulouse. He was tired … Of billiards, shortwhist, chicken-hazard and punting.
1864. C. Clarke, Box for Season, II. 220. Let’s have a little chicken hazard.
1865. Sat. Rev., 4 Feb., 138/2. The solace of congenial companions and occasional chicken-hazard.
