We use words carelessly without thought to their origin. Cow herds watched the village herd and therefore were not available to defend the village in the event of attack. They were therefore demeaned as cowards. 


Thoughts On Herds

If sheep herders are shepherds
Are cowboys cowherds?
Are cowherds cowards?
Language is a strange
And complex canvas
Brushed with etymology





Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 288 times
Written on 2021-07-18 at 17:43

dott Save as a bookmark (requires login)
dott Write a comment (requires login)
dott Send as email (requires login)
dott Print text


Jamsbo Rockda The PoetBay support member heart!
A clever extrapolation. English is a strange language.
2021-07-19


F.i.in.e Moods The PoetBay support member heart!
This is so interesting! Completely caters to my passion for languages :) And I agree with you, the origin of our words can sometimes be surprising. I think that's true of all languages. Very much enjoyed these ponderings, thanks.
2021-07-18


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
I've thought much about herds of a different sort, the "herd mentality," which causes so much grief in the world.

Very good poem.
2021-07-18


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Without doing any research, I'm guessing that a coward is one who is cowed, but that thought only further complicates things. Do cows cow?
2021-07-18


Steven Riddle
Govinda, who in his manifestation as Krishna drove the chariot in which Arjuna contemplated that battle of Kurukshetra, was a cowherd along with the Gopali, but I suspect, being a chariot driver and urging Arjuna to do what his Dharma called him to, was not a coward. But there’s the exception that proves the rule. I very much like this etymological poem. I love the play of words and the now obvious interplay of cowherd and coward. Thank you for making my day!
2021-07-18