white feathers
Sign of cowardice
White feathers are the traditional symbol of cowardice in British culture.
During World War I, women gave white feathers to men not in uniform, shaming them as cowards who should enlist.
The custom came from cockfighting, where a white feather in a gamecock's tail supposedly indicated poor breeding and lack of fighting spirit: He was handed a white feather on the street.
- downyHaving soft, fine texture
- goose downWaterfowl underfeathers
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- swanLarge graceful waterbird
- doveGentle cooing bird
angel · angel wings · pillow · down pillow · soft · fluffy · quill · bird · snow · pure · lightness · surrender · coward · peace · peace symbol · wings · molt · pristine
- Donald Ducksailor suit, beak, nephews, Huey, Dewey
- white dovespeace dove
- heavenly visionsangelic choir, archangels, ascension, celestial beings, cherubim
white feathersVictoria Cross
Britain's top combat decoration
Medal of Honor · military decorations · war medals · Iron Cross · Purple Heart
white feathershero worship
Uncritical devotion to someone
standing ovation · tribute · accolades · praise · recognition ceremony
white feathershero's welcome
ticker-tape parade · standing ovation · tribute · commemoration · accolades
white, whiter, whitest, whiten, whitened, whitening, whiteness, whites, whitish