Saj
Dogs and figurative language

“It seems that nature has given the dog to man for his defence and for his pleasure. Of all the animals it is the most faithful: it is the best friend man can have.”

 

 Voltaire was equitable when he penned those lines, but figurative English unfortunately symbolises the canine with misery and failure. For instance, if the breakfast is badly cooked, it is referred to as dog’s breakfast. The person who cooked it may have a dog’s life. Moreover, if a system fails, we may say it is going to the dogs.

 

Then we have dog-eat-dog competition and scores of idioms and proverbs that taint this wonderful animal with unworthiness.

 

 

How about idioms related to dogs in other languages ? Please don’t cite any quotes.

 

Oct 29, 2014 10:10 PM
Comments · 6
1

Hello Saj! In Russia we also have this kind of idioms like:

 

dogs in in the manger ( собака на сене) - it means that you prevent others from having smth that you don't use for.

where a dog was buried ( где собака зарыта) - it means that it is the key point.

October 30, 2014

Thanks, Elena! " A dog in the manger" is similar to English. I believe it has Greek origins.

October 30, 2014

Thanks, Loranne!

October 30, 2014

You are right. French language has a few pejorative idioms including dogs too : for instance, when the weather is terrible, we say it is a "dog's weather" ("un temps de chien", have to quote to illustrate !),  or if one finds oneself in a pitiful situation, one can curse life using a dog metaphor ("chienne de vie") or if you are very ill, you compare your situation to that of a dog ("malade comme un chien") before you die "like a a dog" ("mourir comme un chien"). 

Poor dogs and poor Voltaire .

October 30, 2014

Thanks, Peachey!

October 30, 2014
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