I don't mean to be rude, but I think you may be incorrect. According to http://www.onelook.com, "cattle" is the generic, "cow" is female, "bull" is male, and "steer" is castrated male.
Hm. It would seem, in fact, that "cow" and "bull" are used for some other mammals besides cattle, including elephants and whales. I wonder if a castrated elephant or whale would be referred to as a steer?
No offense taken, Janet, and thank you for the correction. I was teetering on "bull" or "steer", but didn't remember for sure which was which. [wry grin] And of course I didn't think to look it up - that would be too easy! ;D
And the terms "cow" and "bull" being used for other mammals doesn't surprise me; some terms for babies are used for more than one type of mammal (e.g. "kits" for baby bunnies and baby foxes, and "cubs" for many large felines, bears, and hippos).
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-01-07 06:07 am (UTC)My one minor complaint is that they called an obviously-female cow a "he". After all, cows are female - males are (IIRC) steers.
Otherwise, joyously silly! :)
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Date: 2004-01-07 06:23 am (UTC)Hm. It would seem, in fact, that "cow" and "bull" are used for some other mammals besides cattle, including elephants and whales. I wonder if a castrated elephant or whale would be referred to as a steer?
no subject
Date: 2004-01-07 06:32 am (UTC)And the terms "cow" and "bull" being used for other mammals doesn't surprise me; some terms for babies are used for more than one type of mammal (e.g. "kits" for baby bunnies and baby foxes, and "cubs" for many large felines, bears, and hippos).
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Date: 2004-01-07 02:34 pm (UTC)The artist should be flogged for drawing the "great cow guru" as a female however. And especially for the "pissed in their eye" scene.