Sorry, I used a word that might be local (regional) slang. I have to admit I looked up the definition and it dosn't match our local usage. I think the "down under" usage is closer. Piker in local slang would be a beginner, novice, and stretching into chicken or "fraidy cat" Give up too easy or too soon.

I always imagined the origin was from the logging trade which around here (about till 1930) was done in the winter and then in the spring the logs were floated down flumes and ultimately rivers to the sawmills. Pike poles were used by men that would ride the logs and try to keep the logs moving and not jammed together. Thus the men might be called "pikers".

It turns out that it might also come from the Norwegian language. We have a great number of Swedes and Norsk (Finns too) that settled around here. In Norwegian "pike" is girl. Perhaps piker comes from a derogatory use meaning not masculine. I.E. "John couldn't even lift the box, what a piker!"

Hey you learn something new every day.