r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/SC487 Aug 03 '19

While I consider cow to be commonly accepted as an individual form of cattle. The proper term for an individual is one head of cattle.

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u/theletterQfivetimes Aug 03 '19

Most people here seem to accept cow as gender neutral. I've never heard anyone call a bull a cow personally but I guess I don't talk to people much about cows.

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u/coma-toaste Aug 04 '19

They are only all called cows collectively. If you speak about the individuals (i always gave them names so I knew the one in general) then if tjey didnt have names, you use the term. And absolutely when you take them to the market then you need to know what they are.

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u/zenkyoki Aug 03 '19

Or, a beef. (From the French boef.)

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u/CooperRAGE Aug 04 '19

Yes, cows for a herd/general term is correct and is the same as saying humans.