DCHP-2

stag and doe stag-and-doe, Stag and Doe DCHP-2 (October 2016)

• n. — Ontario, Social customs, often in compounds, e.g. stag and doe party

  a dance or party for an engaged couple to raise funds for their wedding.

  Type: 1. Origin — Although the terms "bachelor party" and "bachelorette party" appear to be more common in Canada than the British equivalents "stag party" and "hen night", it seems that stag and doe party is preferred for a joint event. "Stag" meaning 'male bachelor party', is a well-established term, which suggests that "doe" was added by analogy. Note the semantic differences between stag and doe, where tickets are sold and money is raised, and "bachelor(ette) party", where such practices are unusual. Stag and doe party is most prevalent in Canada (see Chart 1), and most examples come from Ontario (see Chart 2). A common variant of the term is buck and doe (also a Canadianism), indicating an analogy with use of the synonyms "stag" and "buck" used interchangeably.
  See also COD-2, s.v. "stag and doe", which is marked "Cdn (Ont.)".

  See also: buck and doe