galinha
1. A female domestic fowl kept for eggs and meat
The hen laid three eggs this morning.
A galinha botou três ovos esta manhã.
2. The female of any bird species
The hen cardinal has duller plumage than the male.
A galinha cardeal tem plumagem mais opaca do que o macho.
3. A woman, especially an older one (informal, sometimes derogatory)
The old hen was gossiping about her neighbors.
A velha galinha estava fofocando sobre suas vizinhas.
In Brazilian and Portuguese cultures, hens are common in rural and suburban areas for egg production. The term 'galinha' is deeply embedded in agricultural and culinary traditions. In idiomatic usage, comparing someone to a hen can be derogatory when referring to women, though this usage is declining. Chicken and eggs remain staple proteins in both Brazilian and Portuguese cuisines.
NYC Slang
chick (dated slang for woman, generally considered offensive)
Related Idioms & Phrases
mad as a wet hen (angry or agitated)
hen party (gathering of women)
pecking order (from hen behavior hierarchy)
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