Dogie

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈdoʊ.ɡi/ (US)

Definitions

• (Western US) A motherless or stray calf, particularly one that is not yet weaned.

Usage Examples

• The rancher spotted a dogie wandering alone on the open range.
• In cowboy songs, "git along, little dogies" is a common phrase referring to moving cattle.
• Orphaned calves, known as dogies, require special care and feeding.

Etymology

The term "dogie" originated in the late 19th century among cowboys in the Western United States. It is believed to derive from a slang pronunciation of "dough-guts," referring to underfed or orphaned calves with distended bellies.

Synonyms

• Orphaned calf
• Stray calf
• Weanling

Antonyms

• Mothered calf
• Yearling

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• Western US: /ˈdoʊ.ɡi/
• Southern US: /ˈdɔː.ɡi/

Historical Usage

The word "dogie" has been used in cowboy culture since the late 1800s. It gained popularity through Western literature, films, and cowboy songs like "Git Along, Little Dogies," which describes the hardships of cattle driving.

Cultural Nuances

The term "dogie" is closely associated with American cowboy culture and ranching life. It represents the struggles of cattle ranchers and the resilience of orphaned calves in harsh environments.

More Information

While "dogie" is not commonly used outside of Western US dialects, it remains an iconic word in cowboy folklore. Modern ranchers still use the term to describe orphaned calves that require bottle feeding or surrogate mothers.