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Chicken Littleism

Chicken Littleism (noun)

/ˈtʃɪk.ɪn ˈlɪt.əl.ɪz.əm/

Definition:
The persistent tendency to exaggerate threats, predict imminent disaster, or sound alarms about societal, environmental, or technological change, often regardless of, or in opposition to, contrary evidence. This mindset is marked by a reflexive belief that progress leads to catastrophe and a reluctance to acknowledge stability or positive trends, especially when such trends undermine a narrative of inevitable decline.

Etymology:
Derived from the folk tale character Chicken Little, who panics and declares “the sky is falling” after being struck by a falling object, symbolizing alarmism or unfounded fear.

In social commentary:
Chicken Littleism describes the psychological and social investment in a narrative of continuous crisis, where contrary evidence provokes not reassessment, but further entrenchment and often emotional backlash. It is tied to an identity or worldview dependent on the expectation of worrisome decline rather than measured observation of continuity or progress.
* Policymakers accused of Chicken Littleism continue to warn about collapse, despite data showing decades of stability.
* The refusal to acknowledge photographic evidence of stable shorelines was dismissed as Chicken Littleism.
by mikespike August 20, 2025
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woodland chicken

A chicken of the wood lands. It tends to the wood in the most gracious of ways. Few can match the work of the woodland chicken
Dude that woodland chicken really is landwooding
by Otisthunderdog April 18, 2024
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Chicken Skrips

I need an order of the 5-piece chicken skrips meal.
by Bling Diggity November 29, 2020
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Chicken Jockey

Do you want me to fight the chicken, CHICKEN JOCKEY!
by TheHawkOfTheTuah April 24, 2025
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Chicken jockey

A trend where people begin cheering and throwing random objects when Jack Black (in A Minecraft Movie) says chicken jockey
Video Poster: We got kicked out because of Chicken Jockey, I dont know why they had to ruin our fun.
Movie Theatre Manager: Because we have our fucking rights and nobody wants to clean up after the shit ton of popcorn and other stuff you threw.
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Charles the Chicken

Charles is an immortal chicken god that will bring us all salvation

Sacrifice! Sacrifice!
"All hail Charles!" - Charles the Chicken being the immortal chicken god of which we should all worship.
by anonymous December 11, 2023
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