chickenshits
Gutless, contemptible people
Chickenshits are cowardly or contemptible people—those who lack courage or act in petty, mean-spirited ways.
The word combines the cowardice associated with chickens and the worthlessness of shit.
As an adjective, chickenshit describes behavior that's both timid and contemptible: chickenshit bureaucrats who won't make decisions, chickenshit rules designed to harass.
The term originated in U.S. military slang for petty regulations and the officers who enforced them.
Person lacking bravery
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
gutless · yellow · yellow-bellied · lily-livered · white-livered · timid · dastardly · recreant
Slang for coward
- wimpTimid, feeble person
- wussTimid, weak person
- scaredy-catOverly timid person
- fraidy-catTimid, easily startled person
sissy · namby-pamby · pushover · doormat · weakling · jellyfish · mouse · nebbish
coward
Person lacking bravery
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
spineless · gutless · yellow · yellow-bellied · lily-livered · white-livered · timid · dastardly · recreant · poltroon
yellow-belly
Slang for coward
- wimpTimid, feeble person
- wussTimid, weak person
- scaredy-catOverly timid person
fraidy-cat · sissy · namby-pamby · pushover · doormat · weakling · jellyfish · mouse · nebbish · pantywaist
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- scaredFeeling fear or alarm
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
apprehensive · jittery · spooked · panicky · terrified · petrified · quaking · shaking · trembling · uneasy
evasion
Act of escaping detection
sidestepping · skirting · weaseling · bailing · retreat · withdrawal · flight · cop-out
chickenshitsheroes
Admired courageous figures
brave souls · badasses · warriors · daredevils · tough guys