General
hen
What does hen mean?
A friendly term of address for a woman or girl, similar to 'love' or 'pet'.
"Whit can I get ye, hen?"
Origin
Scots term of endearment, from 'hen' (the bird) used affectionately.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'hen' mean in Scottish slang?
It's a friendly, affectionate term of address for a woman or girl, similar to 'love' or 'pet'.
Is calling someone 'hen' rude?
No, it's warm and affectionate, commonly used in Scotland, especially by and towards older women in everyday chat.
Where does the Scottish 'hen' come from?
It comes from 'hen' the bird, adopted as an affectionate term of address.
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