blue hen
/ˈbluː hɛn/US
noun
1A formidable fighter; a feisty, spirited, or quick-tempered person. Usually in plural.
2A nickname for: a soldier from Delaware (frequently in plural with the, as the nickname of a particular regiment or company composed of these soldiers) (now historical ). Later more generally: (a nickname for) a native or inhabitant of Delaware.
3More fully Blue Hen State. A nickname for: the state of Delaware.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Robert Henry (1718–1790), Church of Scotland minister and historian. From blue + hen.
- take to the bush
- take to the road (or take the road)
- take turns (or take it in turns)
- take-up
- take up arms
- take up (or pick up) the baton
- cutch
- cut corners
- cut-down
- cute
- cutely
- cuteness
- cutesiness
- cutesy
- cut from the same cloth
- cut glass
- Cuthbert, St
- cuticle
- cuticular
- cutie
- cut in
- cutin
- cut in line
- cut into
- cutis