Donkey Replaced a Word That Became Rude
A donkey is a domesticated ass. The newer word spread partly because the older one had become awkward to say.
A donkey is a domesticated member of the horse family. The word appeared only in the eighteenth century, and its rise is usually connected to the older word *ass* becoming uncomfortably close to a vulgar term. English does this regularly: *rooster* displaced *cock* in America for the same reason, and *rabbit* replaced *coney*.
- A domesticated ass. *A working donkey.*
- A foolish person. *Do not be a donkey.*
- Donkey work — hard dull labour. *Doing the donkey work.*
- Donkey's years — a very long time. *Not seen him in donkey's years.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | donkey | A grey donkey. |
| Plural | donkeys | Two donkeys. |
| Related | ass | A wild ass. |
| Related | mule | A pack mule. |
| Related | hinny | A hinny foal. |
How it is used in a sentence
- A mule has a donkey father and a horse mother.The reverse is a hinny.
- I have not seen him in donkey's years.Possibly from donkey's ears, meaning long.
- Someone has to do the donkey work.The unglamorous labour.
Equine crosses
- Mule — donkey father, horse mother; usually sterile
- Hinny — horse father, donkey mother
- Jack — a male donkey
- Jenny — a female donkey
- Zonkey — a zebra and donkey cross
First recorded around 1785, of uncertain origin. It may come from *dun*, meaning greyish brown, or from the name Duncan.
Where does *donkey's years* come from?
Probably a pun on donkey's ears, which are long. The phrase means a very long time.
Why did donkey replace ass?
Most likely because *ass* had become awkward through its resemblance to a vulgar word. English often replaces words for that reason.