The charity has written to the dictionary's editors asking them to abandon the slang meaning, claiming that chickens can actually be 'remarkably brave'.
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PETA argues that the negative association reinforces false perceptions about the animals and encourages what it describes as 'speciesism', the belief that humans are superior to other animal species.
The organisation has also taken issue with the name of American rock band Cage the Elephant, asking the group to temporarily change its name to 'Free the Elephant' for a week.
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The request is part of a campaign to raise awareness of animals kept in captivity in circuses. The band is due to perform during an NFL halftime show this Sunday.
PETA has regularly used unusual language-based campaigns to draw attention to animal welfare issues, arguing that everyday expressions and cultural references can contribute to negative attitudes towards animals.
