Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1837, 1897-1938
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‡JENKIN'S HEN, n. Also Jinkin's-, Jinken's-, Jinkam's-, Jinkum's-.
1. A hen which never knew the cock; hence fig., an old maid. Gen. in phr. to live the life or dee the death o' Jenkin's hen (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 283, Jinking's Hen; Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bnff.2 1940). Used as a nickname for an effeminate man (Dmf. 1844 J. W. Carlyle Letters (Froude 1883) I. 294).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 99:
I lear by far she dy'd like Jinken's hen, Or we again met yon unruly men.Sc. 1780 Edb. Eighth-Day Mag. (28 Feb.) 337:
I'm wae to let ye ken That I o' mine am maistly herrit, An' fast I pine like Jenkin's hen!Lnk. 1808 W. Watson Poems 47:
That ane wad think they wad be laith To board wi' men, An't warna fright to die the death O Jinkum's hen.s.Sc. 1821 A. Scott Poems 121:
I ance had sweethearts nine or ten . . . But oh! the death o' Jenkin's hen, I shudder at it.Sc. 1837 J. W. Carlyle Letters (Froude) I. 82:
It shall never be told that I died the death of Jenkin's hen.s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws xx.:
But you needna suppose that the callants 'll let a lass sic as you die like Jenkin's hen.Abd. 1938 in A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) Notes 217:
"Jinken's hen, that niver sa' the cock," is still known on Tarfside and on Deeside. Jinken himself has passed into complete oblivion.
2. In a transf. application in phr. ti dei the daith o' Jenkin's hen, to die for "the want o' braith" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
