pogie

n. a protective mitt that attaches to a boat paddle. Subjects: English, Nautical, Pastimes & Hobbies, Sports & Recreation, Jargon

Etymological Note: Probably from the French pogne ‘mitt, hand’ or pagaie ‘paddle.’ Apparently unrelated to other forms and spellings of pogie meaning candy, a workhouse or poorhouse, a jail, one of several types of fish (especially the menhaden), or, in Canada, a welfare benefit. Also probably unrelated to pogue, which can refer to a homosexual or be used as derogatory name for a soldier or marine.

10 Comments | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 1986 Angus Phillips Washington Post (Jan. 5) “Kayakers ‘Shoot the Curl’ on Potomac”: Nylon “pogies” for the hands, Vaseline on any exposed skin and a spray skirt to keep water out of the boat. 1986 Paul Theroux New York Times (Mar. 16) “Against The Sea”: I had mitts called “pogies” on my hands. 1999 Jeff Bennett Essential Whitewater Kayaker (Mar. 16) p. 13: Your hands can be kept comfortably warm with neoprene gloves or pogies. Pogies attach directly to the paddle shaft, forming a water-resistant cocoon. Your bare hand slips into the pogie and grabs the paddle shaft without any barrier to affect your “feel” for the shaft. 2006 Michael Gebicki The Australian (Feb. 18) “Fjord Escort” p. 4: Kitting out for a kayak trip in sub-zero waters demands several layers of thermal underwear, a dry suit, waterproof Neoprene boots, woolly hat, neck warmer, gloves and pogies, a sort of waterproof sock to protect hands from constant exposure to freezing water.

Posted 3 Mar 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

In Maine - it is also a fish used to bail lobster traps. And my father uses it to describe candy
ie: pogie bait

by Kate 03 Mar 06, 0740 GMT

POG - pronounced “pogue” is a deragatory term for a non-infantry service member. It is short for Personell Other than Grunt.

by Soviak 03 Mar 06, 0952 GMT

POG is actually a backronym, meaning that the pogue spelling existed first and the fanciful acronym was created later.

by Grant Barrett 03 Mar 06, 0956 GMT

pogies are also used by rowers - if you want to see a picture check out www.potomacrowing.com at the bottom of the page of clothing. By fitting over both hand & oar (or paddle for kayakers) it keeps your hands warm and dry-key for early morning April practice

by minnow 05 Mar 06, 0411 GMT

Regarding the word POGIE:

In Canada, pogie means on the dole:collecting unemplyment insurance -govenment money for a certain number of weeks until you get a new job. (You must prove you are looking.)

I don’t know anything more about this.

by Jeffrey Paull 19 Mar 06, 0135 GMT

The Canadian sense of “pogie” most likely comes from the much earlier sense of “workhouse” or “poorhouse.”

by Grant Barrett 19 Mar 06, 0214 GMT

Pogie is also a Korean slang for the external female genitalia. Considered vulgar in most company.

by Maxey 30 Oct 06, 1157 GMT

The existing comments are all from 2006; however, here’s a possible correction or addition:

I’ll echo Jeffrey Paul’s comment above. In my Canadian experience - in Ontario, Alberta and on the East Coast, ‘pogie’ refers to unemployment insurance benefits (now renamed to employment insurance benefits ... talk about doubletongued!), *not* to social assistance aka welfare.

by Pete Wood 23 Jan 08, 0231 GMT

POGIE BAIT - is a military term for sweets / snacks. It is derived from the Korean slang for the female genitalia (pogie). The GI’s during the Korean War would use candy or other sweets to entice Korean prostitutes, which they would refer to as bogie bait. The phrase has remained a part of the military lingo since.

by Roger 25 Jul 08, 0113 GMT

Roger, that’s a completely different word and is unrelated to the one defined here.

by Grant Barrett 25 Jul 08, 0135 GMT