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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

mutt

Hi,

mongrel v mutt

(1) I understand "mongrel" is somewhat formal?
(2) Unlike "mongrel", the word "mutt" seems to be informal?
(3) Do English speakers ever use the term 'cur'? ( which according to my Eng-dictionary, means "unfriendly mongrel")

All the terms above are only applicable to dogs (not cats)?
What are the equivalent terms for a cat that is a mix of several different breeds?

mus-te
  

Top answer

MUSCOVITE 1) I understand "mongrel" is somewhat formal? Marginally; I think it has both a formal and an informal (= mutt) use. MUSCOVITE (2) Unlike "mongrel", the word "mutt" seems to be informal?

— Mister Micawber

  • MUSCOVITE 1) I understand "mongrel" is somewhat formal?
  • Marginally; I think it has both a formal and an informal (= mutt) use.
  • MUSCOVITE (2) Unlike "mongrel", the word "mutt" seems to be informal?
  • Yes.
  • MUSCOVITE (3) Do English speakers ever use the term 'cur'?
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9 Answers
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MUSCOVITE1) I understand "mongrel" is somewhat formal?
Marginally; I think it has both a formal and an informal (= mutt) use.
MUSCOVITE(2) Unlike "mongrel", the word "mutt" seems to be informal?
Yes.
MUSCOVITE(3) Do English speakers ever use the term 'cur'?
Yes.
MUSCOVITE
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1. Mongrel would be the most formal term.

2. Mutt would be informal - this can be like a term of endearment when said by the dog's owner, but derogatory when said by someone else.

3. A cur is unfriendly stray or semi-stray dog.

4. For cats you have the term alley cat for a stray or semi-stray cat. This is the lowest variety of cat and a derogatory term for a cat. M
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Mister MicawberI found 'moggy' but that is a new word for me.
"moggy" (or "moggie") is used over here in the UK. It is informal and can be used affectionately.
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Thanks a lot for the interesting comments, Anon! Emotion: yes
AnonymousMutt would be informal - this can be li
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MUSCOVITEIn the bilingual dictionary I use the word cur is accompanied by yob (yobbo), lout, boor... It is impossible for me to figure out which of them are common today and which were common in Chaucer's time...
In the UK, of these, "yob" and "lout" are common. "cur" is rarely used for people nowadays (in fact, it is not a common word at all). "boor" is not v
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Thank you, GPY!
GPYcur" is rarely used for people nowadays (in fact, it is not a common word at all).
Such nuances are VERY important...
Btw, is it possible to explain in a few words the difference between "a yob (lout)" and "a bully"?
I am not sure .... looks like "yob" and "lout" mean more or less the same kind of personality?
"A bully" howe
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MUSCOVITEA bully" however implies by far more aggressiveness and "physical" harassment?
A "bully" is someone who likes to hurt or intimidate weaker people, either physically or mentally. Even someone with status in society can be a bully.

A "yob" or "lout" is an uncouth and usually uneducated or low-class person whose behaviour is generally offensive
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Interesting comments! Thank you!
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"Semi-stray" dogs and cats are those that might hang around a person's house, but are wandering outside most of the time. Note that mongrel, mutt, cur, and alley cat can be used figuratively and are derogatory in that usage.
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