a male deer is often referred to as a buck, especially in north american english. the term "buck" can also be used for the males of other animals, such as antelope, rabbits, and goats, but it is most commonly associated with deer. interestingly, the phrase "the buck stops here" doesn't have a direct connection to deer. instead, it originates from poker. in 19th-century poker games, a "buck" (often a knife with a buckhorn handle) was used as a marker to indicate the next dealer. passing the "buck" meant passing responsibility to someone else. by contrast, "the buck stops here" signifies taking full responsibility rather than passing it along.  michigan and pennsylvania are states with large populations of white-tailed deer, and hunting is a significant tradition in both states. for people less familiar with the historical or etymological origins of phrases like "the buck stops here," it's quite plausible that they might interpret "buck" as referring to a deer. this is especially true in regions like michigan and pennsylvania, where deer hunting and outdoor culture are deeply embedded in the local lifestyle and symbolic imagery. > like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, they will all return to their own people, they will flee to their native land.  isaiah 13:14 (niv)
United States