pecking order
pecking order (idiom)
/ˈpek.ɪŋ ˌɔr.dər/
Meaning
- a hierarchy of status seen among a group of people or animals.
- an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others.
- a social hierarchy in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
- the ranking system of individuals within a group, where each member knows their place relative to others.
- a hierarchy of authority in an organization or group, from the highest to the lowest.
Example Sentences
- In the corporate world, understanding the pecking order is crucial for navigating office politics.
- Among the children, there was a clear pecking order, with the oldest sibling leading the way.
- The pecking order in the animal kingdom often determines access to food and mating opportunities.
- In the military, the pecking order dictates the chain of command and the distribution of responsibilities.
- At the new startup, there was no clear pecking order, allowing for a more collaborative environment.
Origin and History
The phrase “pecking order” has its roots in the study of social hierarchies among chickens and was first observed and coined by the Norwegian zoologist Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe in the early 20th century. Schjelderup-Ebbe spent his childhood observing the behavior of chickens on a farm near Oslo. He noted that chickens established a clear social hierarchy, where dominant birds pecked those lower in order to assert their rank, and submissive birds accepted their lower status without retaliation. He named this social structure “Hackliste,” subsequently translating it into German as “Hackordnung” and eventually into English as “pecking order.”
Earliest Printed Record
The first recorded use of the term in English appeared in 1927 in K.C. Creasy’s translation of Alverdes’ book ‘Social Life in the Animal World.’ The citation reads:
“Such ‘pecking orders‘ give the society concerned a certain degree of organization.”
Research and Social Implications
Schjelderup-Ebbe’s research elucidated how pecking demonstrated dominance and submission among chickens, establishing a rigid social structure that prevented constant fighting and enhanced flock cohesion.
The concept of pecking order quickly transcended its avian origins and was applied to describe hierarchical structures in human societies as well. A 1929 article in the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, which mentioned a political pecking order, demonstrates the figurative use of the term to describe human social hierarchies by the late 1920s.
Influence on Future Research
Schjelderup-Ebbe’s work laid the foundation for future research into dominance hierarchies across various animal species, including primates, cattle, and even insects. His studies influenced other notable ethologists, such as Konrad Lorenz, who expanded on the concept to explore social behaviors in a wider range of species.
Evolution of the Term
In essence, the phrase “pecking order” essentially stems from the meticulous observations of chicken behavior, where pecking interactions maintain social rank. Since then, people have widely recognized this term as an idiom to describe any hierarchical system, whether in animal groups or human organizations.
Gradually, the term expanded beyond chickens to describe social hierarchies in various animal species and human societies.
Synonyms
- hierarchy
- chain of command
- social order
- rank
Variants
- peck order
- pecking hierarchy
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