The terminology used to describe donkeys, particularly the distinction between common names and specific gendered terms, often causes confusion. The popular use of the word “jackass” as a general term, or even as an insult, obscures the precise naming conventions. Understanding the correct vocabulary requires a look at their specific gender and age classifications.
The Name for a Female Donkey
The correct term for an adult female donkey is a jenny or jennet. While both terms are accurate, “jenny” is the more commonly used name in modern parlance. This name serves as the direct counterpart to the male donkey, which is known as a jack. The term jackass is a compound word that specifically refers to the intact male, combining the name “jack” with the species name “ass.” Therefore, the female equivalent is simply the jenny or jennet, which is the breeding female of the species.
Other Key Donkey Terminology
The naming conventions for donkeys extend beyond the adult male and female to include their young. A donkey of either sex that is under one year old is generally referred to as a foal. More specific terms for the young are sometimes used, mirroring the terminology used for horses: a young male is a colt and a young female is a filly. A group of donkeys is collectively known as a herd, a drove, or a pace.
Hybrids
The terminology also applies to hybrids produced by crossing donkeys with horses. A mule is the result of breeding a male donkey (jack) with a female horse (mare). Conversely, a hinny is the less common hybrid produced by breeding a male horse (stallion) with a female donkey (jenny).
Clarifying “Donkey,” “Ass,” and “Jackass”
The terms donkey and ass are often used interchangeably, but “ass” is the older and more technical name for the species. The scientific classification for the domesticated animal is Equus africanus asinus. The word “ass” is derived from the Latin term asinus, which directly refers to the animal. The word donkey is a more recent addition to the English language, becoming popular around the 18th century. It is thought to have originated from a combination of “dun,” referring to the animal’s common grayish-brown color, and a suffix meaning “small.” While jackass technically denotes only the male donkey, its colloquial use has broadened to refer to any donkey.