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NOUNS a spoiled or petted child; a fortunate person or thing ...1786 Eng. dial. ETYMOLOGY ? from early 17th century 'white' auspicious, fortunate, happy EXAMPLE From: A Translation of Juvenal and Persius into English Verse By Edward Owen, 1786 Satire XIII. The Duty of Patience. P. 120
5 Comments
Rach
6/11/2016 01:36:54 am
A saying my mother used, although slightly elongated" She thinks she's one of the white hens' chickens"
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6/11/2016 11:18:13 am
Doesn't sound like a compliment does it! :)
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18/11/2017 11:56:39 am
My wife who was originally from the Isle of Wight has just used this phrase whilst recounting a story about her father who was the older of two sons and he was always considered by all the extended family as “the white hen’s chick”. I thought the expression was wonderful and not one I had heard before so decided to google it.
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19/11/2017 10:15:41 am
I am always delighted to hear of the use of the old words and phrases.
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Gill Mullin
14/11/2020 07:47:14 am
My mother (from Kent, b.1922) used the phrase to describe a favourite or special child, not in any nasty way - 'ah, but she was always the white-hen's chick.'
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