Consider the variety of meanings and applications that live in a four-letter word!
As a noun, 'buck' refers to the male in some animal species. These include goats, deer, kangaroos and rabbits and hares. It is also the generic term for the wide range of antelope and deer found in Southern Africa. In this case, the word applies to the species rather than the gender of the animal.
As a verb, it refers to the movements of animals that are leaping about or vigorously rocking their entire body in order to get rid of their riders (as in horses) or, as a desperate means to release themselves from their tethers.
An archaic use of the word was applied to spirited young men. In this context, the word has negative connotations in some countries, particularly in the U.S.
Like many four-letter words it serves as a metaphor as in 'buck the system' and 'buck the trend', where it means that a person or people are going against the norm.
As a noun, 'buck' refers to the male in some animal species. These include goats, deer, kangaroos and rabbits and hares. It is also the generic term for the wide range of antelope and deer found in Southern Africa. In this case, the word applies to the species rather than the gender of the animal.
As a verb, it refers to the movements of animals that are leaping about or vigorously rocking their entire body in order to get rid of their riders (as in horses) or, as a desperate means to release themselves from their tethers.
An archaic use of the word was applied to spirited young men. In this context, the word has negative connotations in some countries, particularly in the U.S.
Like many four-letter words it serves as a metaphor as in 'buck the system' and 'buck the trend', where it means that a person or people are going against the norm.
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