Definition

Noun: 1. A fictional character who was hit on the head with an acorn and believed that the sky was falling: This character originates from a folk tale and is used to describe a person who panics easily or warns of exaggerated or imaginary disaster.

Examples of Usage

• The senator dismissed the environmental report, calling its authors a bunch of Chicken Littles.
• Don't be such a Chicken Little; the company's stock dip is normal market fluctuation, not a sign of collapse.
• Every time there's a minor software bug, he runs around the office like Chicken Little shouting that the whole system is doomed.

Advanced Usage

• Used as a common noun: The name is often used in a derogatory way ("a Chicken Little") to criticize someone perceived as an alarmist or a prophet of doom.
• Cultural reference: The phrase "The sky is falling!" is directly associated with the Chicken Little character and is used to mock an overreaction to a minor event.

Variants and Related Words

• Alarmist (n): A person who exaggerates a danger and so causes needless worry or panic.
• Doomsayer (n): A person who predicts disaster.

Synonyms

• Alarmist
• Doomsayer
• Cassandra (a figure from Greek mythology whose accurate prophecies were never believed)
• Panic-monger

Related Idioms

• "The sky is falling!": An exclamation used to sarcastically indicate that someone is overreacting to a small problem as if it were a major catastrophe.
  • Calm down. Just because the printer is out of paper doesn't mean "the sky is falling!"

Noun

1. a fictional character who was hit on the head with an acorn and believed that the sky was falling