biddy
UK[ˈbɪdi]US[ˈbɪdi]
n
An informal, often slightly offensive term for a woman, especially an old or gossipy one.
n
A hen or chicken.
Etymology
The word 'biddy' is a classic example of a hypocorism, a pet name that evolved into a generic term. It derives from the Irish name 'Bridget' (or its Irish form 'Bríd'), a very common name in Ireland, which itself comes from the Celtic goddess Brigid. In the 17th and 18th centuries, 'Biddy' was a common nickname for Irish maidservants, leading to its use as a generic term for a woman, often with a condescending tone. Parallel to this, likely due to the association of hens with chattering and a female domestic sphere, the term was also applied to chickens, solidifying its dual meaning in modern English.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It likely originated as a pet form of the given name Bridget, used as a generic name for a female servant or a hen.
Examples
The old biddies on the porch watched the neighborhood with keen interest.
She went to the coop to feed the biddies and collect the eggs.
He dismissed their concerns as mere gossip from a bunch of biddies.