The word "manger" is commonly misspelled as "manager". The correct spelling of "manger" is pronounced as /ˈmeɪn.dʒər/, with emphasis on the first syllable. The phonetic transcription of this word showcases the specific sounds present in each syllable, with the first syllable pronounced as "mayn" and the second syllable as "jer". A "manger" refers to a trough or open box used for feeding livestock, often associated with the birthplace of Jesus in Christianity.
A manger is a noun that refers to a trough or a low open container used for feeding animals, typically made of wood or stone. It is specifically designed to hold food, such as hay or grain, for animals to eat from. In the context of animal husbandry, a manger is often found in barns, stables, or other livestock enclosures, serving as a practical and organized way to provide sustenance for the animals.
The term "manger" has its origins in Old French, deriving from the verb "mangier," meaning "to eat." As such, it is closely related to the English word "to munch" and carries a similar connotation of feeding or eating. Mangers are frequently associated with the nativity story, as they are traditionally depicted in Christmas scenes as the feeding trough used for baby Jesus in the stable where he was laid after his birth.
Aside from its literal use, "manger" can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or place where nourishment or sustenance is provided. For example, one might refer to a buffet table as a "manger of delicious food" or a library as a "manger of knowledge." Overall, a manger serves as a practical and essential vessel for animal feeding, while also carrying symbolic and metaphorical significance in various cultural contexts.
A fixed feeding-trough for horses and cattle; a sort of trough in ships, to prevent the water that enters the hawse-holes from overflowing the decks.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word manger originates from Old French mangier, which comes from Latin manducare, meaning to chew. This Latin term evolved from manduca, referring to food that is chewed or eaten. Over time, the word transitioned into Old French as mangier, which specifically referred to a trough or feeding place for animals. From there, it entered Middle English as manger.