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[chicken
switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English} 1. The emergency eject button used by test
pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by means of which they can parachute to
safety if the engine fails; later adopted by astronauts in space capsules.
Don't pull the chicken switch, unless absolutely necessary.
2. The panic
button; a panicky reaction to an unforeseen situation, such as unreasonable
or hysterical telephone calls to friends for help.
Joe pulled the chicken
switch on his neighbor when the grease started burning in
the kitchen.
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