In the play, 1776, Ben Franklin makes a this comment comparing a Colonist to an Englishman like an ox being called a bull: “Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He’s thankful for the honor, but he’d much rather have restored what’s rightfully his.”
Maybe I missed this anatomy lesson, but is he implying an ox is a castrated bull?
An ox (plural oxen), also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable. Cows (adult females) or bulls (intact males) may also be used in some areas. - from wiki.
Ok, so how is an ox different from a steer?
An ox is a draft animal. A steer is dinner.
It’s also hilariious if you are a Freemason.
When did you first notice they were missing, sir?
Right after I got married, Officer.
IANAAgronomist, but AIUI, oxen are typically castrated as adults. This allows their testosterone to build their muscle mass. Steers are castrated young, so that they fatten up and their muscles are tender, rather than tough.
IDNKT. Live and learn.
So, what’s the difference between a bull and a bullock?
Bollocks, apparently…
Okay, now I’m confused. I was always taught that an ox is a casdtrated bull – it’s the very definition of the word. (And apparently one that Junx was unaware of – until now). The Wikipedia article, hpowever, reads:
“commonly”?
When the hell is an ox NOT castrated? If castration is not what makes a bull an ox, then what does the word “ox” mean?
Frank Costanza : Let me understand, you got the hen, the chicken and the rooster. The rooster goes with the chicken. So, who’s having sex with the hen?
A quick survey of on;line dictionaries lists the castrated definition, but also lists “a male bovine” as an alternate one, which I have never heard anyone use.*
Then there’s this:
*The Cambridge Dictionary Online doesdn’t hve that second meaning – to them, an ox has to be castrated: OX | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
applause Bravo.
Well . . . . :o
God, I love the Dope. It’s like getting an education.
I honestly never knew that oxen were the same species as the cow. I thought it was similar to the difference between cows and buffalo.
How in the world did I make it to maturity not knowing this? Cows are so plentiful here that there’s a field cows a block away from here. In either direction!
LOL…err…cows are ladies. What you mean is “domestic cattle” of which there are many breeds.
Although you are probably correct about the local bovines. Female cattle are the most ubiquitous because they give milk and people like that. Plus the lucky young ones as heifers get to meet the bull who…well you get the idea. Anyway then more cows and bull calves arrive. Mum (the cow) now lactates and spends the next 5 years or so being milked.
The calves are either - and I’m sorry to explain this - slaughtered as bobby calves to provide veal and soft leather, or raised to be cows, bulls, or steers (or oxen but I’ve never seen this done in NZ).
Having said that, dairy cattle do not make good beef so the boy calves really don’t get much life span.