Tag Rag, and Bobtail

The vulgus ignobilë. A “tag” is a doe in the second year of her age; a “rag,” a herd of deer at rutting time; “bobtail,” a fawn just weaned.

According to Halliwell, a sheep of the first year is called a tag. Tag is sometimes written shag.

“It will swallow us all up, ships and men, shag, rag, and bobtail.” —Rabelais: Pantagruel, iv. 33.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

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