Definition of the word chook

The word "chook" is an Australian slang term used to describe a female or male chicken. The exact origin of the word is not completely clear, as it has been traced to multiple possible sources. One popular theory suggests that the word "chook" evolved from the Aboriginal words "chichaka" or "chichakkerin", which respectively mean "hen" or "female chicken" in the Ngambri and Ngunnawal dialects of the Australian Capital Territory. Another theory suggests that the word "chook" is derived from the Dutch word "hoek" or "hooek", which meant "corner" or "angle" during the Dutch settlement of eastern Indonesia in the 1600s. This theory proposes that the term "hoek" was applied to chickens because they would often be kept in corners of barns or coops. A third potential origin of the word "chook" comes from the Old English word "cycen", which refers to a gamecock or fighting cock. It is possible that the Australian slang term "chook" evolved from this word over time due to the historical popularity of cockfighting in Australia. Despite its many possible origins, the slang word "chook" is a colourful part of Australian English and remains a commonly used term today, both in formal and informal contexts.