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pogie

pogie n. a protective mitt that attaches to a boat paddle. 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. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

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

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

  • pogies are also used by rowers – if you want to see a picture check out http://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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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