A yoke is a very specific object—the device used to attach an animal, such as an ox or horse, to a plow or wagon. Yoke is also a verb for “to put a yoke on”:
Please yoke the ox to this wagon.
As such, yoke is a popular metaphor for oppression, slavery, and heavy burdens:
American Blacks were freed from the yoke of slavery in 1863.
Yoke also has a long history as a spiritual metaphor, in both English and other related languages, for yoking (attaching) a person’s life or mind to “the divine spirit” or “god.” This is one meaning of the word yoga, which comes from the same Indo-European root as yoke.
Yolk, on the other hand, is simply the yellow part of an egg. That’s all, yolks…I mean folks!
More Examples of “Yoke” in a Sentence
- Also helping there was a curved back yoke, designed to facilitate movement through the shoulders.
- It was a gorgeous looking yoke and not the only one if its kind.
- Freed from that yoke, they flew south with ambition in the summer.
- Not pulling back on the yoke to try to get the nose up.
- Fowler still carries that “best never to win a major” yoke around his neck, and he will until he grabs one.
More Examples of “Yolk” in a Sentence
- Salmonella can be present in either the yolk or white of an egg.
- Like an egg yolk, these strings considered safe to eat when cooked properly.
- If the mixture is still too crumbly, mix in an extra egg yolk.
- Add in an egg yolk and cook for 30 seconds, on low heat.
- They also detected traces of honey, egg yolk, milk products, legumes and cereals.