dogie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowRegional, Historical, Informal
Quick answer
What does “dogie” mean?
A motherless or stray calf, especially in the context of cattle ranching.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A motherless or stray calf, especially in the context of cattle ranching.
A term used in Western American English to refer to a calf that has become separated from its mother, often one that is unbranded and running with the herd.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively American, specifically Western American. It is virtually unknown and unused in British English.
Connotations
In American usage, it evokes imagery of the cowboy era, cattle drives, and ranch life. It has a rustic, historical feel.
Frequency
Extremely rare in British English. In American English, it is a low-frequency, regionally specific term, mostly found in historical contexts, Western literature, or discussions of ranching.
Grammar
How to Use “dogie” in a Sentence
The cowboy found a [dogie].They rounded up the stray [dogies].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
May appear in historical or cultural studies of the American West.
Everyday
Very rare outside specific regions or communities connected to ranching.
Technical
Used in specific ranching contexts to describe a calf without a mother.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dogie”
- Spelling it as 'doggie' (which means a small dog).
- Using it as a general term for any calf.
- Assuming it is common in modern English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Doggie' is an informal term for a dog. 'Dogie' is a specific ranching term for a motherless calf.
It is primarily used in the Western United States, particularly in historical or ranching contexts.
The etymology is uncertain but it is believed to have originated in the American West in the late 19th century, possibly from 'dough-guts', referring to a calf whose stomach was distended from poor diet.
Only if the writing is specifically about American Western history, culture, or cattle ranching. It is not appropriate for general formal contexts.
A motherless or stray calf, especially in the context of cattle ranching.
Dogie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdəʊɡi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdoʊɡi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get along, little dogie.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOG following a herd because it has no home; a DOG-ie is a calf with no mother to follow.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ORPHAN IS A STRAY ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'dogie'?