pogey
Definition
Noun: 1. Money received from the state: A slang term, primarily used in Canadian English, for government financial assistance given to unemployed or needy individuals; unemployment benefits or welfare payments.
Usage
The word "pogey" is an informal, countable noun. It is most commonly used in spoken Canadian English to refer to unemployment insurance benefits. It can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation.
Examples
- After the factory closed, he had to go on pogey for a few months.
- She's collecting pogey while she looks for a new job.
- (Historical) During the Great Depression, many families relied on pogey to survive.
Advanced Usage
- "On the pogey": A common phrase meaning to be receiving unemployment benefits.
- He's been on the pogey since his contract ended.
Variants and Related Words
- Pogy (noun): An alternative, less common spelling of "pogey."
- The dole (noun, chiefly British): A similar slang term for unemployment benefits.
- UI/EI (noun, acronym): The formal terms "Unemployment Insurance" or "Employment Insurance," which "pogey" refers to.
Synonyms
- Unemployment benefits
- Welfare (Note: In some contexts, "welfare" has a broader meaning than "pogey.")
- Government assistance
- The dole (UK)
Word Origin
The word "pogey" is believed to originate from a Canadian military slang term for a poorhouse or hostel, which itself may derive from a Native American word. Its meaning shifted in the 20th century to refer specifically to unemployment relief payments.
Noun
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money received from the state
