Author Topic: Cockerel v Rooster (Read 2313 times)

r+lchick · « **on:** October 15, 2009, 04:56:47 pm »

Why do we call them cockerels and Americans call them roosters??

Hardfeather · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:02:52 pm »

You say 'tomato', I say 'tomaeto'

Cockerels are young fowl............cocks are senior fowl.

If referring to Gamefowl, youngsters are stags (or stegs), and mature birds are cocks.

I've no idea why Americans call them roosters.......but then I don't know why they call a holiday a 'vacation' either.

little blue · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:33:51 pm »

Vacation is nearer the 'romance' languages - think 'bon vacances' with a french accent! I presume holiday refers to being a day of celebration of 'holy' things??

I've no idea either re the rooster/cockerel, but Im going to google it now.
Much prefer a bit of 'senior fowl'... how rude!!

little blue · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2009, 09:02:38 pm »

Have found this eventually, on an esl website...Rooster was devised by the Puritans shortly before many of them left England to seek religious freedom in North America. This accounts for it never catching on in England.
In seeking to avoid cock, which had already gained a slang use in England, they shortened the term "roosting cock". Many other male birds can be called a cock, but only a male chicken is called a rooster. Some Americans call a small chicken that is destined for the table a "frying hen" or a "fryer".

If its true, thats your answer!