How is the word "Hen" used?

[deargoop]

Is the word Hen typically used by women for other women? Is it used mainly by older women when talking to a younger woman or girl or can it be used for women of any age? Is it a term that men use for women?

I am not Scottish but currently living in Glasgow.

Potentially unhelpful but… all of the above.

It seems to be used all sorts of situations.

Ah I see, I saw online it was most often used for a younger woman or even a girl but it seems to be used for any woman by anyone.

Is the word Hen typically used by women for other women? - Yes

Is it used mainly by older women when talking to a younger woman or girl - Yes

can it be used for women of any age? - Yes

Is it a term that men use for women? - Yes

In Glasgow there are men who call you hen and men who call you doll. The 'doll' guys are the more winky flirty ones and the 'hen' ones are the more grandfatherly.

I think the term "hen" is so nice myself and would like to use it on occasion but just didn't want to muck it up!

Can be used quite judgementally when needed.

'aye, do you think so hen?'

I love hearing Glasgow wumin saying the word ‘hen!’ ❤️

It's not a term I ever use personally, even though I've lived here an age. I can only say it if I put on a Glaswegian accent!

I do use ‘ya dancer’ sometimes though!

I always thought hen was a southern Scotland /Northumberland thing - is it said across the country?

Just don’t use it if you venture out of Glasgow. Nae appreciated up in Aiberdeen.

or 'ya beauuuuuuty' I like that one too.

Is it not just the same as "love", or "duck" (in the East Mids)

But actually, only about a female so not quite the same as love

I think it would be bit weird if you're not Scottish to use it. It would come across as patronising. It would only be normal if you grew up using it / family using it. It would be as if you are playing a part of being working class Glaswegian. A bit like the sketch in Chewing the Fat where the posh Kelvinsiders try to use the Glaswegian vernacular

Grew up with the rhyme "if I'm a hen then you're a duck, I lay eggs and you lay muck".

Doesnt actually make sense to be fair but was the standard response to be being called hen when I was a bairn.

I'd say it's a term of endearment in working class homes or areas. My Mum for example would never call anyone 'hen', not because she was a snob it wasn't part of her culture.

It’s not a thing in Aberdeenshire, unless your are speaking about a Hen Do. But if my Weegie friend uses it, it sounds warm and friendly . But I couldn’t pull it off - although Quine on the other hand…

I would only use it in certain situations with friends where i know they would find it sweet.

I once read a piece of research, I think it was someone's doctorate or dissertation, it was on the word ' dude' and the different meanings it conveyed in the different ways it was used - I think in a surfer community. I loved reading it.

Someone should do a similar piece of research on the use of 'hen' in Glasgow. I'd read it!

Bus drivers always called me Hen. I was quite fond of it, despite not liking Love or Duck or Mate.
My favourite is a West Country "me lover" though. I associate that strongly with the ladies on the till in Tesco when I was a student.

I would only use it in certain situations with friends where i know they would find it sweet.

You are overthinking it.

It's the equivalent of "dear" or "love" in other parts of the UK. My gran in Edinburgh used to say "chickie" or "chick" (nothing to do with the American version of "chick") to mean the same thing.

@SisterMichaelsHabit I LOVE chickie! (And Derry Girls!)

My colleague (we are in Lancashire, she's Scottish) uses it a lot with colleagues
As in she will come in and say "you alright hen?"

That was a response to another poster who criticised me for thinking of using it.