This site explores the ways in which references to dogs are used in vernacular English, especially as they reveal social dynamics in the contemporary United States. Terms, metaphors, and cultural references that evoke dogs are discussed individually, including history, usage, and significance. The subject is also broadly addressed in the keynote essay, “Dog as Self and Other.” Illustrations provide visual analogies to the references, depictions of the applications of terms, visual representations of things described or referred to in the written texts, and commentary on usage and definition. |
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since Hector was a pup. For a very long time.
Since Hector fought in the Trojan War over three millennia ago, in some ways this is certainly longer than a dog's age. Or is it? No lesser lexicographer than Eric Partridge tells us that when this became an American catch phrase in the 1920's Hector was a common name for a dog, especially a mastiff. So while the Trojan prince may have been one's dog's namesake, the time since the Hector in question had been a pup might be a matter of just a few years… MORE
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man's best friend.
This is the most common phrase that fills the blank after, “A dog is...” It is used both sentimentally and satirically.
Of course there can be limits even to a dog's loyalty. Contributors to TV Tropes note that when a protagonist in a narrative has done something shameful, even her faithful dog displays disgust, possibly by lowering its head and leaving or, alternatively, putting a paw over its eyes and whining… MORE
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dog Latin. Some sources simply define dog Latin as barbarous or mangled and others make it akin to a kind of pidgin Latin.
It would appear to be not as much fun as ig-Pay atin-Lay and more like Pierre Escargot's fractured French. Contributors to TV Tropes have created an entry for Canis Latinicus, or Dog Latin. They note that when writers for television shows or films need convincing language for imaginary scientific fields or magical incantations they tend to choose Latin … MORE |
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