What it means
An old-school dig for a man people see as totally under his partner’s thumb, always checking first, asking permission, or getting told the score. It’s usually thrown out as a tease about a mate who never seems to make his own call. These days it sounds dated and pretty sexist, so use it only if you’re happy to land with a bit of frost.
Usage examples
"Baz asked for a second pint and immediately rang the missus for permission. Dave laughed, called him henpecked, and Baz quietly switched to lime and soda."
"Poor Dave looked properly henpecked at the barbecue, asking permission before he even reached for a second sausage."
"He used to be the loud one, but a year into the marriage he's gone all henpecked and quiet."
"You’re not coming on the weekend trip because she said no again? Mate, that’s properly henpecked behaviour."
"Everyone went quiet when Tom checked his phone, sighed, and said he had to be home by nine. Someone muttered, henpecked, and the whole table smirked."
Where it comes from
Recorded in English from the late 17th century. It comes from the image of a hen pecking repeatedly, which got turned into a nasty joke about a wife who nags or bosses her husband around. From there, henpecked stuck as a label for a man seen as controlled at home.
