Chicken strips, also known as chicken tenders, are a popular food item made of chicken breast meat that has been battered or breaded and then deep fried or baked. They are commonly served as an appetizer or side dish in many restaurants, especially fast food chains. Over time, chicken strips have gained several slang terms and nicknames in popular culture and conversation.
Tendies
One of the most popular slang terms for chicken strips or chicken tenders is “tendies.” This slang abbreviation originated in the early 2000s and has since become a widespread way to refer to chicken strips or tenders in a more casual and conversational way.
The term “tendies” is commonly used on internet forums, social media, and in memes. It has a connotation of being childlike or nostalgic food that someone ate growing up. The term is especially common in gamer and internet subcultures.
Some examples of using “tendies” in a sentence include:
- “I’m craving some crispy, juicy tendies for dinner tonight.”
- “My favorite childhood meal was tendies with honey mustard sauce.”
- “I’m going to order some tendies from the fast food place down the street.”
The “tendies” slang term pokes fun at the fact that chicken strips are often seen as kid-friendly, nostalgic comfort food. The word “tendies” makes chicken strips seem especially juvenile in a tongue-in-cheek way.
Chicken Fingers
“Chicken fingers” is another very common slang way to refer to chicken strips or tenders. Some people use “chicken fingers” and “chicken strips” interchangeably.
Like “tendies,” chicken fingers has a meaning of being an appetizing, easy to eat food. The term invokes the image of picking up the chicken strips with your fingers and dipping them in sauce. It’s a casual, conversational way to refer to the food.
Some examples are:
- “Let’s get some chicken fingers for an appetizer.”
- “I’d like to get an order of chicken fingers with fries please.”
- “The chicken fingers here are always so crispy and delicious.”
Overall, “chicken fingers” is one of the most ubiquitous slang terms for chicken strips or tenders in everyday American English.
Chicken Fries
“Chicken fries” is a more recent slang term for chicken strips that has emerged in the last decade or so. It compares the shape of chicken strips to french fries, with the implication that chicken strips are almost like a chicken version of fries.
The term is used humorously and suggests the fun, snack-like quality of chicken strips. Some examples are:
- “I could really go for some chicken fries right now!”
- “Let’s get some chicken fries and milkshakes tonight.”
- “The chicken fries here are my favorite menu item.”
This playful slang term is often used by younger generations and in advertising. For example, some restaurants have even released limited time chicken fries menu items or flavors due to the popularity of the phrase.
Chicken Nuggies
“Chicken nuggies” is another slang term with childlike or nostalgic connotations. It stems from shortening “chicken nuggets” into the cutesy spelling “nuggies.”
People often use “chicken nuggies” to jokingly refer to kids’ meals, playground food, or drunk/high meals. Some examples are:
- “I feel like getting some chicken nuggies and kids’ fries tonight.”
- “Chicken nuggies remind me of school cafeteria lunches.”
- “Let’s get chicken nuggies delivered for a late night snack.”
The term “nuggies” implies that the person wants easy, nostalgic comfort food. It’s meant to be humorous and informal. This slang arose on the internet and is more commonly used in writing than in speech.
Chicken Strips vs. Chicken Tenders
Chicken strips and chicken tenders are very similar products, but there are some differences between them:
Shape
Chicken strips are cut into strip or finger shaped pieces. Chicken tenders are the whole tenderloin or pectoral muscle removed from the chicken breast, so they have an irregular shape.
Breading
Chicken strips are almost always breaded or battered. Chicken tenders can be breaded or cooked plain.
Cost
Since they use the whole tenderloin, chicken tenders are often viewed as more premium and expensive than chicken strips. Chicken strips can be made from any cut of chicken breast.
Names
“Chicken strips” and “chicken fingers” refer to the strips. “Chicken tenders” refer specifically to the tenderloin cut.
In casual everyday use, most people use these names interchangeably. But technically, chicken strips and chicken tenders are different products.
Conclusion
In summary, some of the most popular slang terms for chicken strips or chicken tenders are “tendies,” “chicken fingers,” “chicken fries,” and “chicken nuggies.” These casual and humorous phrases are used on the internet, in conversations, and in popular culture to refer to the beloved food in a more lighthearted way.
The slang terminology invokes the nostalgic, kid-friendly associations of chicken strips and how they are commonly eaten as appetizers, snacks, or comfort food. So next time you want to order some chicken strips, feel free to use any of these fun slang names for them!