Definition

Noun: 1. A cow kept for its milk: A dairy cow; a cow that is raised specifically to produce milk for human consumption or dairy products. 2. A reliable source of profit or advantage (figurative): A person, organization, or asset that is used as a dependable source of money, support, or benefit.

Usage and Examples

• Literal Meaning (Dairy Cow):

  • The farmer's most productive milch cow produces over 30 liters of milk per day.
  • Traditional farming involved each family keeping a milch cow for their own milk supply.

• Figurative Meaning (Source of Profit):

  • The successful mobile app became the company's milch cow, funding all its other projects.
  • He was tired of being treated as the milch cow for his financially irresponsible relatives.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term is often used in a somewhat critical or exploitative context when applied figuratively, implying that the source is being steadily drained for gain.
• The spelling "milch" is an older variant of "milk" used attributively (as an adjective). The modern equivalent is the compound noun "milk cow," though "milch cow" remains in use, especially in historical or specific contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Cash cow: This is a more common modern synonym for the figurative meaning, with less archaic flavor. (e.g., )
• Dairy cow: The standard, neutral term for the literal meaning.
• Milk cow: A modern variant spelling.

Synonyms

• Literal: Dairy cow, milk cow, milker.
• Figurative: Cash cow, gold mine, meal ticket, goose that lays the golden egg.

Idioms and Phrases

• To be a milch cow for someone/something: To serve as a continuous source of financial support for another.
  • The state-owned enterprise could no longer be a milch cow for the government's deficits.

Noun

1. cattle that are reared for their milk