hickory chicken

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "hickory chicken" is a folksy nickname for the morel mushroom-a prized edible that pops up under hickory and other hardwood trees in spring.

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synonyms: morel mushroom, dry-land fish

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I love 'hickory chickens' but I've never found one myself.

Pronunciation

[HICK-er-ee CHICK-en] /ˈhɪk(ə)ri ˈtʃɪkɪn/

Meaning & Usage

- The morel mushroom (folk name, noun)

Mae:

Find anything good?

Earl:

Yep-a sack full of hickory chickens down by the creek.

★ "Hickory chicken" reflects the Appalachian tradition of whimsical wild food names. The morel’s texture and its habit of growing near hickories inspired the nickname. Also called "dry-land fish" or "molly moochers." ★

Origin

Found in Appalachian word lists as a regional name for the morel mushroom. It reflects the area’s deep foraging tradition and playful naming of wild edibles.

Notes

Still heard today among older foragers and in nostalgic writing about mountain life. Outside the region it’s rarely recognized but easily understood from context when paired with "mushroom."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "hick’ry chicken" in quick speech. "Hickory" clips to two syllables: "HICK-ree."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is it really chicken?

No-it’s a morel mushroom. The name’s just a folksy nickname.

Why "hickory"?

Because morels often grow near hickory and other hardwood trees.

Is it safe to eat?

Morels are a prized edible when properly cooked, but always confirm identification before eating wild mushrooms.