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Hen and Chickens

(in Christian art), emblematical of God’s providence. (See St. Matthew xxiii. 37.)

A whistling maid and crowing hen is neither fit for God nor men. A whistling maid means a witch, who whistles like the Lapland witches to call up the winds; they were supposed to be in league with the devil. The crowing of a hen was supposed to forbode a death. The usual interpretation is that masculine qualities in females are undesirable.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Helve
Helvetia
Hemp
Hempe
Hempen Caudle
Hempen Collar (A)
Hempen Fever
Hempen Widow
Hemus or Hæmus
Hen-pecked
Hen and Chickens
Hen with one Chick
Henchman. Henchboy
Hengist and Horsa
Henna
Henneberg (Countess)
Henricans or Henricians
Henriette
Henry (Poor)
Henry Grace de Dieu
Hephæstos