electric hare
C2specialised, historical
Definition
Meaning
A mechanical lure in the shape of a hare, propelled along a track to be chased by greyhounds in the sport of dog racing.
Any artificial or mechanical substitute used to motivate or guide competitors in a race or competition; metaphorically, a decoy or false target.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is highly specific to greyhound racing. While the mechanism is still in use, the term itself has been largely replaced by 'artificial lure' or simply 'lure' in modern contexts. Its use outside of this specific domain is almost exclusively metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term originated in and was predominantly used in British and Commonwealth greyhound racing. In American English, 'mechanical rabbit' or 'artificial lure' are more common, though 'electric hare' is understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a specific, historical technology in sport. It may carry slightly nostalgic or anachronistic connotations.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but marginally higher in British English due to the historical prominence of greyhound racing in the UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The greyhounds] chase [the electric hare].[The electric hare] runs [along the rail].[The invention] of [the electric hare] revolutionized [the sport].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to chase the electric hare (to pursue a futile or artificial goal)”
- “life is not an electric hare (a reminder that real goals require genuine effort, not just chasing a decoy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: 'Chasing quarterly profits like an electric hare distracts from long-term strategy.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical or sociological studies of sport and leisure.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used by those with knowledge of greyhound racing history.
Technical
The specific term in historical contexts of greyhound racing technology. Modern technicians use 'lure system'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The electric-hare system was a marvel of its time.
- He studied the electric-hare mechanism.
American English
- The electric-hare device kept the dogs running.
- An electric-hare track was built in the 1920s.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dogs run fast after the electric hare.
- The invention of the electric hare made greyhound racing a more consistent and humane sport.
- Politicians often accuse their opponents of chasing the electric hare of popular opinion instead of focusing on substantive policy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine HARE as 'Hardware Artificially Racing Electrically'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURSUIT IS A RACE; A FALSE GOAL IS A MECHANICAL DECOY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation to 'электрический заяц'. Use 'механическая приманка' (mechanical lure) or 'искусственный заяц' (artificial hare). The concept is not commonly known in Russian culture.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'electric rabbit' interchangeably (it was specifically a hare).
- Thinking it is powered by electricity in the modern sense (early versions were, but modern lures may use different motors).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (it is not a trademark).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'electric hare'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The original 1920s invention by Owen Patrick Smith used an electric motor to propel the lure along a rail. Modern versions may use different technologies.
The specific 'hare' shape is largely historical. Modern greyhound tracks use a variety of artificial lures (often shaped like bones or rags) moved by a motorised system, but the principle is the same.
Greyhounds were historically used to hunt hares, not rabbits. The lure was designed to mimic their traditional quarry in both size and speed.
Yes. It is used to describe a futile pursuit of an artificial or meaningless goal, e.g., 'chasing the corporate electric hare of endless growth.'