Donkey

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The donkey aka Annes (Equus asinus, hence also ass) is a domesticated animal of the horse family, Equidae.

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The word also applies to a type of apparatus.

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The word "donkey" is one of the most etymologically obscure in the English language. Until quite recent times, the standard word was "ass", which has clear cognates in most other Indo-European languages; no credible cognate for "donkey" has yet been identified, though it is possible that it is a diminutive of "dun" (dull greyish-brown), a typical donkey colour; originally, "donkey" was pronounced to rhyme with "monkey". In the late 18th century, the word "donkey" started to replace "ass", almost certainly to avoid confusion with the word "arse", which, due to sound changes that had affected the language, had come to be pronounced the same way (/æs/ > /ɑ:s/ and /ɑ:rs/ > /ɑ:s/). The /ɑ:s/ pronunciation of "ass" was eventually restored to /æs/ in order to reserve the distinction, but not without the curious consequence of American English losing the word "arse" entirely and handing over its meaning to "ass".

Ass: ASS or ass has several meanings:...

Domesticated: REDIRECT Domestication...

Etymologically: REDIRECT Etymology...

Donkey related Images and Photos (experimental)

Donkey Kong Jenga	Donkey Kong Jenga	Donkey Still Life (detail)	Happy Donkey
Donkey Kong Jenga Game	Donkey Cigarette Dispenser	NINTENDO - Donkey Kong	Democratic Donkey Cutout
Donkey 2012 Wall Calendar	Donkey Punch UK Movie Poster 2008	Little Pullip Donkey Doll	Super Mario Bros. Donkey Kong Large Wall Applique