Pogeys

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to welfare payments or government assistance for the unemployed ; a slang expression for a workhouse or poorhouse ; an informal word for places providing relief to the needy
2. An informal way to describe public aid given to jobless individuals ; also a colloquial name for an institution housing the impoverished ; or a term for facilities offering charity support
3. Used as slang for unemployment benefits distributed by the state ; as well as for shelters where indigent people are cared for ; and generally for locations supplying social support to those in need

Etymology: The term "pogeys" is a piece of mid-20th-century American slang that originally referred to government-issued welfare payments or relief money. Its earliest documented use dates back to around the 1940s, particularly in the context of military slang during World War II. Soldiers used the word to describe their government allowances or benefits, often with a hint of humor or mild disdain, reflecting the mixed feelings about receiving handouts. The etymology of the word is uncertain, but it is generally believed to be derived from "pogue," a somewhat derogatory term used in the U.S. military to describe non-combat personnel or camp followers—those who did not engage in frontline duty. "Pogue" itself might come from Irish Gaelic, where "póg" means "kiss," though the connection is tenuous and speculative. From "pogue" came "pogey" or "pogeys," which shifted to refer to money or benefits associated with non-combatants or those perceived as less directly involved in fighting. This semantic shift from a label for certain people to a term for welfare payments is notable. It reflects how slang can evolve in tight-knit communities like the military, where language often serves to both include and exclude, to signal rank and attitude. Over time, the word extended beyond military jargon to more general American English, where it continued to denote welfare payments or unemployment benefits, often with a slightly pejorative connotation. The word’s journey highlights how slang can capture social attitudes about government aid and the people who receive it. It also shows the way language picks up and reshapes terms from subcultures, in this case, the military, into broader societal usage. Though not as common today, "pogeys" remains a vivid example of wartime slang entering the civilian lexicon.

Synonyms: benefits, allowances, handouts, subsidies, grants

Antonyms: debts, deductions, penalties, taxes, fines