BUSY AS A HEN WITH ONE CHICK, adj. phr. (old).—See quot.

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  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. Busy-bodies, … As BUSY AS A HEN WITH ONE CHICK, of one that has a great deal of business and nothing to do.

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  TO BE BUSY, verb. phr. (venery).—1.  To have sexual intercourse: see GREENS and RIDE.

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  1612.  BRETON, Pasquil’s Night-Cap.

        Thou hast beene too BUSY with a man,
And art with child; deny it if thou can.

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  2.  (nursery).—To defecate; TO SHIT (q.v.).

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