an adult female chicken
from Old English 'henn', related to German 'Henne' and Dutch 'hen'
Hens are actually quite social and can recognize over 100 different faces - both human and chicken! The phrase 'mother hen' captures their naturally protective instincts perfectly.
Hen has been used metaphorically to demean women ('cackling hens,' 'hen party') and to infantilize female humans as domestic/frivolous. The gendered animal metaphor itself is dehumanizing.
Use 'hen' for actual female chickens. Avoid metaphorical use for women or female groups—it carries dehumanizing freight.
["women","group","gathering"]
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