To Behave in a Cowardly Way: Showing the White Feather 🐔
Ah, the timeless slur of cowardice! “Showing the white feather” is an evocative idiom that remains prevalent, linguistically saving brave chickens everywhere from disparagement. Originating from the world of cockfighting—a white tail feather in a fighting cock signified inferior prowess—this phrase was detailed in Francis Grose’s Dictionary (1785) and immortalized in literature, exemplified by Thackeray in Pendennis (1850):
“He had certainly shown the white feather.”
Related Terms and Expressions
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Turn Tail: To flee in fear.
- Synonyms: Flee, run away.
- Antonyms: Stand your ground, confront.
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Chickening Out: To back out from something due to fear.
- Synonyms: Cower, recoil.
- Antonyms: Persevere, dare.
-
Yellow-Bellied: Treacherously cowardly.
- Synonyms: Weak-kneed, fainthearted.
- Antonyms: Valiant, stouthearted.
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Quaking in One’s Boots: Literally shaking with fear.
- Synonyms: Tremble, shudder.
- Antonyms: Steady, composed.
Quotes and References
- Humour Filled: “Why is cowardice declared in colors—yellow-bellied, white-feathered? Must be because fear erodes away the vibrant hues of bravery.” – Sir Draw Lotsmiles, jestingly.
- Inspirational: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Showing a white feather is but the beginning of uncovering our true colors.” – Braverton Scribbalt.
- Proverb: “Fortune favors the bold, not the sand-footed.”
Suggest Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies 📚🎥
- Book: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy – an exhilarating tale full of disguises and daring escapes.
- Song: “Brave” by Sara Bareilles – an anthem encouraging us to face our fears.
- Poem: “If” by Rudyard Kipling – a celebration of resilience and courage.
- Movie: Braveheart – William Wallace’s uncompromising defiance against tyranny.
Quizzes
{% quizdown %}
Which phrase implies cowardice?
- Showing the white feather
- Clipping the red wings
- Turning the golden key
- Dancing with blue daffodils
Explanation: “Showing the white feather” suggests cowardice, while the others are fictional phrases.
Which term does NOT denote fear?
- Turn tail
- Chickening out
- Quaking in one’s boots
- Standing firm
Explanation: “Standing firm” denotes resilience, unlike the other phrases which imply fear or cowardice.
True or False: ‘Yellow-bellied’ is an idiom indicating bravery
- True
- False
Explanation: “Yellow-bellied” indicates a person who’s cowardly, not brave.
{% /quizdown %}
Penelope Phrasemaker signs off with an insightful farewell: “Words can cast shadows darker than night, or lights brighter than a thousand suns. Use them wisely, wield them bravely, and never let your feather turn white.”
