Chickens

Chicken Comb. Chickens wear their combs, the red plumbs on top of their head, with pride. People do the same with their head hair. However, some of us no longer have chicken combs; we now have heads that appear more as the heads of the more powerful “bald” eagles.

Chicken Waddle. This is the loose, dangling skin under a chicken’s neck. This is not desired by martial artists, or anyone else for that matter. 

Chicken Hands. Chickens do not have hands but the term "chicken hands" means to handle something carefully. An example of the term's use is in the lyrics used by Tupac, "Hanging out the window/Acting up/Using my chicken hands with you doing so much..." When sparring, use chicken hands; kicks are dangerous, but proper punches are deadly.

Chicken Little.Just as Chicken Little, there are some students who see everything as a disaster. For example, every little scratch they receive is a medical emergency and every hit they receive they believe was intentional. They like to hit others, but when they get hit, they run to the instructor just as Chicken Little screaming about it being the end of the world.

Chicken Scratch. Chicken wander around scratching a spot on the ground for no apparent reason, hoping to find food. Illegible handwriting is known as chicken scratch. Chicken scratch may also describe the way some people spar. They move around with their head and guard down, scratching (trying different techniques) here and there for no apparent reason; searching for something that might work.

Chicken Knuckles. These are the soft, spongy knuckles that are found on chicken feet. This type of knuckle is not desired by martial artists. We train to have tough knuckles that may withstand the impact and forces involved in devastating punches.

Big Chicken Dinner. While not related to the martial arts, another use of chickens is in the term “big chicken dinner,” a military term for a BCD, or bad conduct discharge, which is a less than honorable military discharge. Receiving a BCD means you were a complete failure in the military and a disgrace to the country.