tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post139531903356001105..comments2024-03-16T00:21:43.240+00:00Comments on Separated by a Common Language: dogslynneguisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10171345732985610861noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-10452488139207983812019-04-26T17:08:06.640+01:002019-04-26T17:08:06.640+01:00BrE, Scot, mid 60s. Proverbs 26:11 - like a dog ...BrE, Scot, mid 60s. Proverbs 26:11 - like a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.<br /><br />I’m not sure I’ve heard the dogs dinner in isolation, but quite definitely in the phrase “done up like a dog’s dinner”, in the sense of dressed smartly.<br /><br />Regarding pigs’ anatomy, it is possible to make a “right pig’s ear” of something: the result might be a bit of a dog’s breakfast.<br /><br />Shy-replyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891566073375322808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-44301649848914010702016-05-12T17:21:59.507+01:002016-05-12T17:21:59.507+01:00Not to contradict or argue with anything said abov...Not to contradict or argue with anything said above, but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was mentioned in the original post. One of its founders was William Wilberforce, the crusader against slavery.Steve Dunhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970801099772755392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-27593789619780012402015-04-28T22:56:16.096+01:002015-04-28T22:56:16.096+01:00http://dogsknobs.comhttp://dogsknobs.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-33874045723880041762013-12-17T12:33:20.374+00:002013-12-17T12:33:20.374+00:00What an interesting observation. What do you think...What an interesting observation. What do you think about the word "underdog". In yourdictionary.com we can find some definitions:<br />1. a person or group that is losing, or is expected to lose, in a contest or struggle<br />2.a person who is handicapped or at a disadvantage because of injustice, discrimination<br /><br />Isn' it ambiguous?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-60362140137902350362013-01-17T22:32:04.122+00:002013-01-17T22:32:04.122+00:00It's already been mentioned why the dog's ...It's already been mentioned why the dog's bollocks is used (they lick them so much that they must be amazing), but Americans say that something is "the shit", meaning the same thing as dog's bollocks, but completely different to just being "shit",so I would like someone to explain that to me instead. Also, bollocks on its own can mean many other things, all of which are negative, I believe. You can probably guess that I'm English.<br />I have heard people say that they don't have time to walk their dog every day, but then I would imagine these people are also thoughtful towards children. I have also seen people being cruel towards their children and pets, so you can't really stereotype. Much the same way that I can't stereotype by saying all Americans are obese, trigger-happy and dumb.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-25345447279378713732013-01-17T22:23:13.171+00:002013-01-17T22:23:13.171+00:00It's already been mentioned why the dog's ...It's already been mentioned why the dog's bollocks is used (they lick them so much that they must be amazing), but Americans say that something is "the shit", meaning the same thing as dog's bollocks, but completely different to just being "shit",so I would like someone to explain that to me instead. Also, bollocks on its own can mean many other things, all of which are negative, I believe. You can probably guess that I'm EnglishAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10752617240983043691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-412466036080236732012-04-02T00:06:07.692+01:002012-04-02T00:06:07.692+01:00I have to say, as Americans with two canine "...I have to say, as Americans with two canine "kids", we LOVE how dog-friendly England is, and it's one of the aspects we dread of moving back to the States. It's also part of why my blog url is "dogsbollocks". I will disagree with you on the "bitch" usage in England, though, as I hear that a lot. The first example that springs to mind was when an elderly couple at the vets was asking me about the process of immigrating a pet here, as their son is planning to soon, and, when I asked if it was a dog (meaning, not cat/rabbit/bird), the wife said "oh, no, it's a bitch spaniel." I'm really enjoying your blog!Gescihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543798912886827648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-8767472873147017042011-09-23T00:19:43.156+01:002011-09-23T00:19:43.156+01:00I've heard a wonderful, if almost certainly ap...I've heard a wonderful, if almost certainly apocryphal, folk etymology for "dog's bollocks": the kids' engineering kit Meccano used to come in two sizes, the "box standard" and the "box deluxe". The former is the source of "bog standard" while the latter was spoonerised into "dog's bollocks". <br /><br />Regarding "dog's dinner", that's always meant a mess to me (BrE). But maybe that's because I've actually seen plenty of dog's dinners, both before and after they've been in the dog, not that the dog tends to see much of a distinction between the two.Johnny Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332149992788801634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-60847816130202744532010-04-25T17:15:01.328+01:002010-04-25T17:15:01.328+01:00Oh I so agree (haven't read the comments above...Oh I so agree (haven't read the comments above me, so if I repeat something, forgive me). I knew I was in weird territory in the UK when a use-to-be friend said she was not able to go out unless she could find a dog sitter and that it would be upset if she was home half an hour later than normal. My enquiries about the comprehension of the concept of time and upset in dogs were met with incredulity and probably a reassessment of my humanityMichèle J. Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13937751330393080996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-4448623604027693152009-06-07T07:01:23.727+01:002009-06-07T07:01:23.727+01:00I'm also face-blind but not (clinically speaki...I'm also face-blind but not (clinically speaking) Aspie.John Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452247999156925669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-46279074114943787742008-11-22T14:58:00.000+00:002008-11-22T14:58:00.000+00:00Mencap, the name of the charity, is an abbreviatio...<I>Mencap, the name of the charity, is an abbreviation of "mental handicap", which until recently was the approved term for what we are now asked to call "learning difficulties".</I><BR/><BR/>Is this an example of how euphemism degrades language?<BR/><BR/>As an example, I don't have learning difficulties, but I arguably have some mental handicaps, including Asperger's syndrome and face blindness.<BR/><BR/>Or am I just "neurologically challenged"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-45701599192832836652008-10-24T15:39:00.000+01:002008-10-24T15:39:00.000+01:00Purplepangolin : The TV series was "Balderdash and...Purplepangolin : The TV series was "Balderdash and piffle".<BR/><BR/>Mencap, the name of the charity, is an abbreviation of "mental handicap", which until recently was the approved term for what we are now asked to call "learning difficulties".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-15668531628800380112008-10-17T10:02:00.000+01:002008-10-17T10:02:00.000+01:00One of the things I was most horrified by during m...One of the things I was most horrified by during my time in the US was the common practice of 'caging' or 'crating' a dog for large periods of the day and, often, overnight. That speaks to me both of a lack of concern for the dog's welfare and also poor training. Surely you should be able to train your adult dog sufficiently well that they're basically safe to be left in at least part of your house unattended?<BR/><BR/>Though, to be fair, in the American house I actually lived in, the dogs were left to roam freely either in the house or outside (with electric fencing) during the day, and taken upstairs to sleep on the boys' beds at night. Which I didn't really approve of either - I think dogs should know their place. Did you ever see any of Barbara Woodhouse's dog training programmes? That'll explain something of the British attitude to their dogs.Roshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669423378438380019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-86747762434871810642008-10-14T19:33:00.000+01:002008-10-14T19:33:00.000+01:00The best explanation of 'dog's bollocks', which is...The best explanation of 'dog's bollocks', which is far too good to check, is the Meccano one (you remember, construction set for boys with girders, bolts, gears, etc.). The story goes that Meccano made two sets back in the early days (40s or 50s); 'box, standard', and 'box, deluxe'. 'Box, standard' naturally became 'bog standard' and 'box, deluxe' was Spoonerised into 'dog's bollocks'. Well, it works for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-88928262940303307172008-10-08T00:41:00.000+01:002008-10-08T00:41:00.000+01:00Stephen Jones, where did the apostrophe before "'a...<I>Stephen Jones, where did the apostrophe before "'arse" come from?</I><BR/><BR/>Bizarre; I've been writing it like that for donkey's years, and never realized it was wrong, or wondered what on earth the apostrophe stood for.<BR/><BR/>And yet I would never write <B>arsehole</B> with an apostrophe.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05952564820382472228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-15862962617478849762008-10-06T21:49:00.000+01:002008-10-06T21:49:00.000+01:00Surely "in a pigs arse" here means simply "Not blo...Surely "in a pigs arse" here means simply "Not bloody likely!"Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11270027663691257254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-30400987582160613832008-10-06T21:40:00.000+01:002008-10-06T21:40:00.000+01:00I've never really understood the use of "pig's ars...I've never really understood the use of "pig's arse" in Philip Larkin's Vers de Société:<BR/><BR/>My wife and I have asked a crowd of craps<BR/>To come and waste their time and ours: perhaps<BR/>You'd care to join us? In a pig's arse, friend.<BR/>Day comes to an end.<BR/><BR/>This use seems to me to have some meaning not shared by "dog's dinner".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-34561177402061144902008-10-06T19:22:00.000+01:002008-10-06T19:22:00.000+01:00Stephen Jones, where did the apostrophe before "'a...Stephen Jones, where did the apostrophe before "'arse" come from?Fnarfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15022243603033471232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-50398587632105385902008-10-04T14:14:00.000+01:002008-10-04T14:14:00.000+01:00Rhyming Slang has been known over a large slice of...Rhyming Slang has been known over a large slice of the English-speaking world ; my copy of Julian Franklyn's "Dictionary of Rhyming Slang" dated 1960 lists contributions from - inter alia - both coasts of the US and/but generaly dates them to earlyish in the last century . I think this is one for Lynne . <BR/>Question - do other languages have rhyming slang ?<BR/><BR/>Apropos the question of dogs and their owners , one of my favo[u]rite words , courtesy of "The Meaning of Liff" by Douglas Adams is Scrabster - one of those annoying small dogs that has it off with your leg during tea .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-73798354984342730692008-10-03T21:50:00.000+01:002008-10-03T21:50:00.000+01:00Do we really like dogs? To refer to an ugly woman ...Do we really like dogs? To refer to an ugly woman as a 'dog' started in the US, I believe, but is known in BrE ... then we (UK)refer to spiteful gossip as 'bitching' (with cattiness as a milder version). Of course, this only applies to women (and gay men in camp humour).<BR/>Are the modern 'stitch'n'bitch' groups as unpleasant as they sound or this merely a new name for the folksy, life-affirming American Quilt groups that were revived in the 70's?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-462305014382440882008-10-03T13:24:00.000+01:002008-10-03T13:24:00.000+01:00@Mrs RedbootsFair point. Is there an equivalent o...@Mrs Redboots<BR/><BR/>Fair point. Is there an equivalent of rhyming slang in the USA? I saw the comment about it coming from dog's meat, so just assumed that there was.purplepangolinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17297351611950245044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-70548676995908924002008-10-03T12:22:00.000+01:002008-10-03T12:22:00.000+01:00But "dogs" is not used as slang for feet in the UK...But "dogs" is not used as slang for feet in the UK, only in the USA, so unlikely to be due to cockney rhyming slang.Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11270027663691257254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-52935745888728349452008-10-03T09:24:00.000+01:002008-10-03T09:24:00.000+01:00Cockney rhyming slang often goes through several i...Cockney rhyming slang often goes through several iterations over time for eaxmple:<BR/>Aris is slang for Arse (derivation: Aris = Aristotle = Bottle = Bottla and Glass = Arse).<BR/><BR/>So it is conceivable that the term dogs for feet comes from:<BR/><BR/>feet>plates of meat>dogs meat>dogs.purplepangolinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17297351611950245044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-65174242850500567032008-10-03T08:42:00.000+01:002008-10-03T08:42:00.000+01:00I'm afraid the best contribution I can make to thi...I'm afraid the best contribution I can make to this thread is this piece of briliant comedy:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znZuH2BU0FEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-60269596136944094212008-10-03T07:24:00.000+01:002008-10-03T07:24:00.000+01:00To Dr Roche - No, Mencap is the name of a charity ...To Dr Roche - No, Mencap is the name of a charity that works with people with learning difficulties.<BR/><BR/>The French are as bad about their dogs, if not worse. There is, or used to be, a canine beauty parlour in Boulogne that called itself "Dog Brushing" ("Brushing" being French for "Blow-dry").Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11270027663691257254noreply@blogger.com