I am no chicken.

[konungursvia]

I really want to ask if anybody knows the meaning of the phrase "I am no chicken". I found this when I was reading the series of Sherlock Holmes. If anybody knows, please tell.

Why don't you write us the context, giving the sentences before and after the quote? In AmE, "I am no chicken" seldom means anything other than "I am no coward," unless "spring" is included. It would be interesting to see Doyle's usage.

[Anglika]

The complete Sherlock Holmes - Google Books

Lestrade is speaking, and context makes it clear that Conan Doyle was not using an Americanism.

[svartnik]

I really want to ask if anybody knows the meaning of the phrase "I am no chicken". I found this when I was reading the series of Sherlock Holmes. If anbody knows, please tell.

I am no spring chicken = I am not young anymore

[konungursvia]

Yes, it is clear from the context, thanks Ang. But if Doyle had used it in the way we do, it wouldn't have been an Americanism.

[konungursvia]

Well, when British writers use phrases we now consider Americanisms, often they are simply archaic forms, e.g. "I guess," as seen in Chaucer every page or two. But if you mean to call me inflexible, that is erroneous..