pogey

American  

[poh-gee] / ˈpoʊ gi /

noun

plural

pogeys

1. Slang. Also

   1. a package of food, candy, or other treats sent to a child at boarding school, a person in an institution, etc.

   2. candy or a treat.

2. Canadian Slang.

   1. an institution maintained by private charities or government funds for the housing of the aged, sick, orphaned, or feeble-minded; an old-age home, charity hospital, orphanage, or the like.

   2. any form of charity or government relief.

   3. unemployment insurance provided by the government.

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adjective

Canadian Slang.

1. of, relating to, or obtained through charity or government relief.

   pogey shoes.

pogey British  

/ ˈpəʊɡɪ /

noun

1. financial or other relief given to the unemployed by the government; dole

2. unemployment insurance

3. 1. the office distributing relief to the unemployed

   2. ( as modifier )

      pogey clothes

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Etymology

Origin of pogey

First recorded in 1890–95; earlier pogie workhouse < ?