Chichevache

/ˈtʃɪtʃɪvætʃ/ noun

Definition

A legendary or mythical beast from medieval literature, often depicted as skinny or starving, sometimes shown alongside its counterpart Bicorne.

Etymology

From Middle French chichevache, from chiche (meager) and vache (cow); used in medieval manuscripts and Chaucer's works as a satirical creature.

Kelly Says

Chaucer featured the chichevache in his poetry as satire—it was a medieval inside joke about miserable, henpecked husbands being so starved of food by their wives that even a magical cow would starve.

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