subs. (common).—1. A woman. Specifically, a wife or mistress. For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1823. BADCOCK (‘Jon Bee’), Dictionary of the Turf, etc., s.v. HEN.
| In Black-boy Alley I’ve a ken, | |
| A tyke and fighting cock: | |
| A saucy tip-slang moon-eyed HEN, | |
| Who is oft mill-doll at block. |
2. (common).—Drink money. See HEN DRINKING.
1892. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 20. Whenever there’s HENS on the crow, ’Arry’s good for a hinnings,—no fear!
Verb (Scots’).—To funk; to turn tail; TO HEN ON = to fear to attempt.
COCK AND HEN CLUB, subs. phr. (common).—A club composed of men and women.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HENS AND CHICKENS, subs. phr. (thieves’).—Pewter measures; quarts and pints. Cf., CAT AND KITTENS.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, Vol. i., p. 276. The HENS AND CHICKENS of the roguish low lodging-houses are the publicans’ pewter measures; the bigger vessels are ‘hens,’ the smaller are ‘chickens.’
