The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #142079   Message #3272711
Posted By: Jim Dixon
12-Dec-11 - 03:45 PM
Thread Name: BS: Euphemistic US Usages
Subject: RE: BS: Euphemistic US Usages
Peafowl is definitely the gender-neutral (or gender-inclusive or gender-undetermined) version of peacock (male) or peahen (female).

I remember being confused by this term as a kid. When my father mentioned "peafowl" I thought he was saying "peef owl" and describing a type of owl! One that says "peef-peef," I supposed, instead of "hoot-hoot!"