chickenhawk

See also: chicken hawk

English

Etymology

chicken +‎ hawk. The political sense is derived from figurative meanings of "chicken" (coward) and "hawk" (militarist).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪnˌhɔk/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

chickenhawk (plural chickenhawks)

1. (US politics, derogatory) A draft dodger, especially in the Vietnam War, who nonetheless currently supports United States overseas military engagements.
2. (archaic) Any of the North American hawk species (Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk and red-tailed hawk), or counterparts elsewhere, mistakenly believed to be pests.
3. (derogatory, gay slang) An older, usually more powerful man who preys on adolescent boys for sex.

Translations

hawk species

• Dutch: kiekendief (nl) m
• French: épervier brun m
• German: Eckschwanzsperber m
• Navajo: tsįyaalzhahí
• Spanish: gavilán (es) m, azor (es) m

adult man who seeks out boys as his sexual partners

• Dutch: (offensive) knapenschenner m, (abusive) pedofiel m
• Japanese: 若専 (wakasen)
• Navajo: ashiikéyázhí há naalzheehí
• Spanish: rabo verde m

References

• “chickenhawk”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.