goatsucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Obsolete/Scientific/Folk)Scientific/Historical/Folklore
Quick answer
What does “goatsucker” mean?
A nocturnal bird (family Caprimulgidae) with a large mouth for catching insects in flight, noted for its appearance near livestock at dusk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nocturnal bird (family Caprimulgidae) with a large mouth for catching insects in flight, noted for its appearance near livestock at dusk; originally thought to suck milk from goats.
A term sometimes used historically or in folk names for birds like the nightjar, whippoorwill, or nighthawk, based on the erroneous folk belief that they drink milk from goats, causing harm.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obsolete in both varieties. In modern birdwatching, BrE favours 'nightjar'; AmE also uses 'nighthawk' for some species. 'Goatsucker' is a historical/folk term in both.
Connotations
Carries connotations of superstition, antiquity, and rural folklore. Might be used humorously or poetically.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use outside specific historical or zoological writing.
Grammar
How to Use “goatsucker” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] goatsucker [VERB].They saw a goatsucker [VERB-ing].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, folkloric, or ornithological texts discussing nomenclature or myths.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be a point of curiosity or humour.
Technical
Used as a common name for birds in the family Caprimulgidae in some taxonomic lists.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goatsucker”
- Using 'goatsucker' as a common term instead of 'nightjar'.
- Spelling as two separate words: 'goat sucker'.
- Assuming it is a modern, standard term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it refers to real birds of the nightjar family, but the name comes from a false myth about their behaviour.
No. They are insectivorous birds. The myth arose because they were often seen flying near livestock at dusk, catching insects attracted to the animals.
The most common modern term is 'nightjar' (in British English) or specific names like 'common nighthawk' or 'whippoorwill' (in American English).
It's a useful example of how folk etymology and mistaken observations can shape language and scientific naming, even if the term itself is now obsolete in everyday use.
A nocturnal bird (family Caprimulgidae) with a large mouth for catching insects in flight, noted for its appearance near livestock at dusk.
Goatsucker is usually scientific/historical/folklore in register.
Goatsucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊtˌsʌkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊtˌsʌkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird trying to sneakily suck milk from a GOAT. It SUCKS at being sneaky, so it's called the GOAT-SUCKER.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISUNDERSTOOD NATURE IS THEFT (the bird's natural behaviour near livestock was metaphorically interpreted as stealing milk).
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the word 'goatsucker' most accurately used today?