
Dogs not only enrich our lives, but they enrich the language as well. We would not want to do without dog figures of speech. Here’s my list, I’m sure I’ve forgotten some.
Dog tired—could sleep the day away
Gone to the dogs—not a good place to go
Bird dog—to move in on someone else’s girl friend or boy friend
Yellowdog—who some democrats would rather vote for than a republican
Bluedog—democrat in name only
Dog fight—a one-on-one battle with no rules
To dog it—not even try
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks—age has its privileges
Dog leg—really crooked
Dog eared—really ragged
As thick as fleas on a coon dog—a lot of something
You’re dog meat—unpleasant threat putting someone low on the food chain
Tail wags the dog—priorities skewed
Dog breath—unpleasant respiration odors
Lucky dog—the fates smile lovingly on you (and you probably don't deserve it)
Dog eat dog world—where the rules of civilization don’t apply
Top dog—who rules in such a world
Junk yard dog—someone really mean
Lap dog—a public figure that is easily persuaded by another
Dirty dog—a step above being a dirty rat
That dog don’t hunt—you’ve given a poor excuse or reason
Sick as a dog—to empty the contents of one’s upper digestive tract
Hair of the dog that bit you--a morning drink after a night of debauchery
I don’t have a dog in that fight—I don’t care one way or the other
Working like a dog— Any dogs I’ve ever seen working—hunting, herding, performing, digging, guarding, sniffing, pulling a sled—were very happy.
So let’s say “Working like a dog” means doing the work you were born to do and having a great time.


hahaha good list, good for dogs
Posted by: ed | January 05, 2007 at 12:28 PM
As far as I can tell you got them all. That's more than I had thought there were.
Posted by: Laura | January 05, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Nice list, it's amazing to think how much dogs have infiltrated our language.
Posted by: Tracey | January 05, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Sick as a dog ... that one fits me this week! ** cough cough **
Posted by: I was Trailer Trash when Trailer Trash wasn't Cool | January 05, 2007 at 06:59 PM
I do believe you got them all, this is an awesome list. :D
Posted by: Faith | January 05, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Loved this. Great fun!
Posted by: Karen Shanley | January 05, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Jan, this is a keeper! A+
Posted by: Denny | January 06, 2007 at 05:16 PM
I love this but most of all I love the dog pic at the top!!! Cuu-uuute.
Posted by: jillbryant | January 08, 2007 at 11:45 PM
This is a good list! See you soon, Grandma!
Posted by: bunny | January 13, 2007 at 11:22 AM