Ancient chicken is that thing I put in cheap eatery (7)
I believe the answer is:
caitiff
'ancient chicken' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'that thing i put in cheap eatery' is the wordplay.
'that thing' becomes 'it'.
'put in' indicates putting letters inside.
'cheap eatery' becomes 'caff' (I've seen this before. I am not sure about the 'cheap' bit.).
'it'+'i'='iti'
'iti' going inside 'caff' is 'CAITIFF'.
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for caitiff that I've seen before include "Base" , "Despicable fellow" , "Cur" .)