doggett's coat and badge race: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal / Historical / Specialised
Quick answer
What does “doggett's coat and badge race” mean?
A historic annual rowing race for apprentice watermen on the River Thames in London.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historic annual rowing race for apprentice watermen on the River Thames in London.
Specifically refers to the oldest continuously run annual sporting event in the world, established in 1715. It is a sculling race from London Bridge to Chelsea for newly qualified watermen, with the prize being a traditional red coat and silver badge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively British, being the name of a UK-specific historical institution. It is largely unknown in American English outside specific historical or rowing contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes British history, tradition, maritime heritage, and the livery companies of London. In the US, if known at all, it would be seen as a highly specialised British cultural reference.
Frequency
Used extremely rarely, almost exclusively in British historical, sporting (rowing), or London-specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “doggett's coat and badge race” in a Sentence
[Subject] wins Doggett's Coat and Badge Race.[Subject] was established/founded in 1715.The race commemorates [event/person].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doggett's coat and badge race” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He hopes to doggett his way to victory this year. (informal/rare coinage)
- He is training to compete in and hopefully win Doggett's.
adjective
British English
- The Doggett's tradition is centuries old.
- He is a former Doggett's champion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical papers, studies of British sport, or maritime social history.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday conversation outside of London's river community.
Technical
Used in the context of rowing/ sculling competitions and the history of the Watermen's Company.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “doggett's coat and badge race”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doggett's coat and badge race”
- Incorrect: 'Dogget's' (missing 't').
- Incorrect: Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a doggett's race').
- Incorrect: Referring to any rowing race as 'a Doggett's'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was first held in 1715.
Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and theatre manager who founded the race as a thanks-giving for the Hanoverian succession.
Traditionally, it is open to apprentice watermen of the River Thames who have recently completed their apprenticeship.
Yes, it is held annually (except for interruptions due to war or pandemics) and is considered the oldest continuously contested annual sporting event in the world.
A historic annual rowing race for apprentice watermen on the River Thames in London.
Doggett's coat and badge race is usually formal / historical / specialised in register.
Doggett's coat and badge race: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡɪts ˌkəʊt ən ˈbædʒ ˌreɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːɡɪts ˌkoʊt ən ˈbædʒ ˌreɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DOG wearing a fancy COAT with a BADGE, rowing in a RACE on the Thames. Dog + get + coat + badge + race = Doggett's Coat and Badge Race.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRADITION IS A LIVING LEGACY; A SPORTING EVENT IS A HISTORICAL MONUMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is Doggett's Coat and Badge Race?