donkey English · revision 1514

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=1785}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdɒŋ.ki/ ''(UK)''; /ˈdɑŋ.ki/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was originally slang or dialect, of uncertain origin.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Cresswell 2021) Early evidence shows that it rhymed with [[monkey]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Skeat 1911)^(Cresswell 2021) It may be a diminutive of [[m|en|dun|t=dull greyish brown]], perhaps formed on the pattern of monkey,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Klein 1966)^(Skeat 1911) or a pet form of the name Duncan, as with [[dobbin]] or [[neddy]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)^(Hoad 1986)^(Weekley 1921) Partridge also mentions Don Quixote.^(Partridge 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A familiar name for the [[ass]] (1785 in the OED, Barnhart and Etymonline, when Grose first records it).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Partridge 1966)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Before the late 18th century the animal was called an ''ass'',^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline) and ''donkey'' has since become the usual word, except in biblical or solemn language and in natural history.^(OED 1989) From 1840 it also meant a stupid or silly person.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) Its use as an emblem of the US Democratic Party dates from 1874.^(RHWU) The phrase ''donkey's years'', a very long time (early 20th century), is a pun on the length of a donkey's ears and an old pronunciation of ''ears'' like ''years''.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Weekley 1921) As an adjective in engineering, ''donkey'' means auxiliary, as in ''donkey engine''.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1785 – the ass.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1840 – a stupid person.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1874 – emblem of the Democratic Party.^(RHWU)

+ * early 20th century – ''donkey's years''.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The domesticated [[ass]], ''Equus asinus''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A stupid, silly or [[obstinate]] person.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British slang)'' An unskilful footballer.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A frame with a fine saw for cutting [[marquetry]] veneers.^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(machinery)'' Auxiliary, as in ''donkey engine''.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[donkey engine]]

+ * [[donkey jacket]]

+ * [[donkey work]]

+ * [[donkey's years]]

+ * [[pin the tail on the donkey]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ass]]

+ * [[dun]]

+ * [[monkey]]

+ * [[burro]]

+ * [[mule]]

+ * [[jackass]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}