ass

The donkey, or ass, is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The domesticated form is commonly referred to as Equus asinus (with some taxonomies treating it as a subspecies of Equus africanus). Donkeys were domesticated in parts of Africa and the Middle East around 3,000 BCE and have been used as pack animals and for riding due to their endurance, sure-footedness, and ability to work on difficult terrain.

Donkeys are generally smaller than horses, with long ears, a short mane, and a tail that ends in a tuft of hair. They are hardy animals, capable of thriving on coarse forage and limited water. They are social and intelligent, often forming strong bonds with humans and other animals, and they display a notable degree of stubbornness in some contexts.

In English, the word ass also refers to the buttocks or rear end, a vulgar term used in informal contexts. For neutral anatomical language, terms such as buttocks or gluteal region are preferred. The word also functions as a pejorative insult meaning a foolish or stubborn person, a sense that arises from perceptions of the animal’s obstinacy.

Etymology-wise, the animal’s name derives from Old English as or ass, linked to the Latin asinus. The slang uses of ass for body parts or insults developed later in the language and remain common in colloquial speech and popular culture, appearing in various idioms and expressions.