Who Invented The Word “Chicken-Hearted”

Whoever invented the word “chicken-hearted” didn’t know his chickens. I spring to the defense of the grossly maligned fowls, for a chicken is just the opposite. I have never seen a greater demonstration of courage, fearlessness, and loyalty than I have seen displayed by a chicken in the time of danger. A hen will sit immovable through the most violent gale, her chicks gathered safely beneath her, that they might be protected from the storm without. Perhaps now we can understand better why Jesus compared His own love to that of a hen who “doth gather her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:34). (M.R. DeHaan).