Lean Into Your Inner "Spring Chicken"
Have you ever heard someone say, "I’m no spring chicken," and wondered where that expression came from? It’s one of those phrases that feels familiar and old-fashioned at the same time. We hear it in conversations, in movies, and sometimes even in old books. But its origin is much more literal than most people realize.
Hundreds of years ago, especially in England and early America, people raised chickens mainly for food and eggs. Chickens hatched in the spring were especially valuable. After a long winter, fresh food was limited, and young chickens born in spring were considered tender, flavorful, and high-quality. They were known as "spring chickens," and they were prized at markets and on dinner tables.
Because these birds were young and in peak condition, the term slowly began to take on a second meaning. By the early 1700s, writers were already using "spring chicken" to describe people who were youthful, lively, or full of energy. If someone was "no spring chicken," it meant they were no longer young. One of the earliest
written examples appears in British literature from the early 18th century, showing that the phrase has been around for more than 300 years.
What makes this expression interesting is how well it has lasted. Many old sayings fade away, but "spring chicken" is still widely understood today. Even people who have never been
near a farm know exactly what it means. That shows how strongly food and farming once shaped everyday language.
The phrase also reflects how closely people used to live with the seasons. Spring meant new life, new crops, and new animals. It was a hopeful, busy time of year, and young chickens were part of that yearly
cycle. Calling someone a "spring chicken" connected them to that sense of freshness and youth.
While most of us may happily admit we’re "no spring chicken" anymore, there’s something fun about leaning into a little spring chicken energy now and then...especially this time of year. Here are a few simple ways to do
that:
1. Revisit a childhood favorite: Swing on a playground swing, blow bubbles in the backyard, or draw on the sidewalk with chalk. It sounds silly, but it’s surprisingly freeing.
2. Spend time outside just to enjoy it: Take a slow walk, sit in the sunshine, watch clouds drift by, or enjoy your morning coffee on the porch or patio.
3. Read something just for fun: Pick up a new book,
revisit an old favorite, or browse a magazine at the library. Let yourself read purely for enjoyment.
4. Learn something new and interesting: Look up fun trivia, watch a short documentary, learn a random fact, or try a puzzle. Keeping your mind curious keeps you feeling young. 5. Move in a playful way: Put on music and dance in the kitchen, stretch in the living room, toss a ball outside, or do some light gardening.
6. Do something creative: Color, doodle, write a short poem, try a craft like rock painting, or take photos of spring flowers. Creativity isn’t just for kids. 7. Do something "just because." Eat lunch outside, buy yourself a popsicle, take a scenic drive, or stop to admire blooming trees.
You don’t have to be young to enjoy the spirit of spring. Sometimes, all it takes is a little
curiosity, a little movement, and a willingness to enjoy what this fresh season brings.
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