what is a "poke"? slowpoke, cowpoke...pokey?

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what is a "poke"? slowpoke, cowpoke...pokey?

does anyone know where these sayings came from?

2006-10-04 16:45:01 · 3 answers · asked by mSe 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia

3 answers

They come from different sources.
Poke (the plant) comes from a Native American word for tobacco
Slowpoke is from the method of moving.
Cowpokes were specialised cowboys who used long poles to load cattle onto railroad cars
Pokey is a slang term for jail is from an old word for poorhouse.

2006-10-04 17:02:05 · answer #1 · answered by Ars Magica 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋

A poke is:

"One who moves slowly or aimlessly; a dawdler."

2006-10-05 02:37:47 · answer #2 · answered by Slider728 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋

pokey is from gumby.

2006-10-05 09:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by heavy d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋