Drumsticks of Fowls

In chapter 4 of Great Expectations, Pip describes the poor and rather unappetising food he is given at the Christmas dinner.

"I was regaled with the scaly tips of the drumsticks of the fowls."

• Regaled = treated or entertained with something, usually something pleasant to eat and drink.  Dickens uses it ironically here.

• Drumsticks of the fowls = the lower parts of the chicken leg.

• Scaly tips = the rough hard scaly skin at the ends of the chicken legs.

Pip says humourously that he was given only the unattractive bonny and scaly ends of the chicken drumsticks.

The comedy lies in contrast: regaled generally suggests a generous feast, but poor Pip receives practically the scraps of the meal.  It also meets Mrs Joe's treatment of Pip - he is technically included, but not treated as an hooured member of the family