cue
KYOO
/kjuː/
A signal (verbal, visual, or physical) that tells an animal to perform a specific behavior.
Trainers prefer 'cue' over 'command' because it implies a request that the animal chooses to follow for a reward, rather than an order it must obey under threat.
The story behind the word. In 16th-century theater, the letter 'Q' (short for 'quando,' Latin for 'when') was written in actors' scripts to show them when to enter. This evolved into the word 'cue.'
Word relationships
- signal: Signal is more general; a cue is a specific signal that has been trained to trigger a specific response.
Commonly confused with
- command: Command sounds authoritative and old-fashioned; cue is the modern, positive-reinforcement term.
Collocations
- verbal cue
- visual cue
- give a cue
Example sentences
- "The dog responded to the hand cue for 'down' even though the trainer remained silent." Using hand signals.
Memory hook
A CUE tells the animal what to DO. The signal to start.
When not to use
Avoid using 'cue' when you mean a 'hint' in a general conversation; in training, a cue must be precise.
Fun facts
- Dogs can learn up to 200 different cues, including complex hand signals and even light flashes.
Explore more words
stagecraft, interlude, intermission, segue, elicit, Synchronous
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