fodder

Everyday

1. Fodder is food such as hay, straw or grain given to farm animals like cows, horses and sheep. tree →
2. (informal) Fodder is material that is easily used for a particular purpose, often without much thought: «gossip fodder», «fodder for jokes». tree →
3. «Cannon fodder» means soldiers treated as if their lives do not matter. tree →

In the lessons

In farming and geography lessons, farmers store fodder for winter. In everyday life and the news, a silly event becomes «fodder for comedians». In history, especially the First World War, «cannon fodder» describes soldiers sent to die in great numbers. Phrases: «animal fodder», «cannon fodder», «fodder for».

Examples

• The farmer stores fodder in the barn for winter. tree →
• Hay is the main fodder for horses. tree →
• The mistake became fodder for jokes online. tree →
• The celebrity's outfit was fodder for gossip. tree →
• Many soldiers in 1916 were treated as cannon fodder. tree →
• Turnips are grown as winter fodder. tree →
• ‘Yes; but I must have a good stable and most excellent fodder for my horse,’ said he. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some fodder», not «a fodder». Similar: feed, forage. Rhymes with «odder».

In Jewish tradition

In farming and geography lessons, farmers store fodder for winter. In everyday life and the news, a silly event becomes «fodder for comedians». In history, especially the First World War, «cannon fodder» describes soldiers sent to die in great numbers. Phrases: «animal fodder», «cannon fodder», «fodder for».

Examples

• Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? (Writings JOB.6.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• So he brought him into his house, and gave the asses fodder; and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink. (Prophets JDG.19.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some fodder», not «a fodder». Similar: feed, forage. Rhymes with «odder».