Lost Cow In Illinois Has Some Searching And Others Scratching Their Head

It's National 4-H Week in Illinois. I didn't know this was s thing until a few hours before this article was written. This is not the only thing I learned this morning. You'll understand in a moment. By the end of this, you will have either learned something new too or will question my level of intelligence.

While the premise of what you're reading is to bring entertainment (or disappointment), there is a serious matter to shed light on. A small Illinois community is searching for a lost steer. This isn't a joke and it's likely pretty upsetting for 10-year-old Jesse Barker of Orangeville, Illinois. This is Jesse's third year in a 4H competition with his own steer named Rocky.

In an interview with a local TV station, his mother explained they were the animals when Rocky ran off from his herd, likely out of fear. He is all black, weighs about 500 pounds, with a yellow tag (labeled #2) on his ear.

“He may be looking to find another herd of cattle or other animals to be with."

This is where you're going to learn a new phrase or completely judge the author of this article and two of his coworkers. (That's me, btw.)

While explaining where the steer may be located, Jesse's mom (Rachel) used an idiom that left me and another person scratching our heads. An idiom was used that neither of us had ever heard previously. Of course, we mentioned this on our radio show and were immediately corrected more times than I'd like to reflect on. Also, one of our coworkers heard this in real-time and could not believe it.

After ridiculing us unmercifully he took this topic to his own show and one can only guess what was said.

"What does that even mean???"

The phrase (or idiom) that stumped us?

Trackers estimate that he could be as far as 20 miles as the crow flies from here.

If you're confused like we were, it means distance away measured in a straight line.

On a serious note, if you're within 20 miles of Orangeville and you find Rocky, reach out to the Stephenson County Sheriff's office.

[h/t WIFR]