milch cow

[GSCole]

Relatives of mine, with large dairy farms, and those with small farms
for that matter, speak of a 'milk cow'.  I've never asked them to write
down the word, but they pronounce the word much as they would in
reference to a glass of milk.  Speakers are from both Delaware and
Northeast Maryland.

Milking cows is the phrase for a group of milk cows.  I don't know why;
of course, I've never understood the in-print use of milch cow either.
Perhaps 'milking cows' is the phrase to use for those cows giving milk
that can be (or is) sold to a dairy co-op?  Sort of a balance sheet
term, in reference to the asset base of a farm.

George S. Cole  gscole at ark.ship.edu
Shippensburg University