I can remember the moment when I learned the meaning of this phrase. I was young, maybe around 10, and my hometown’s end-of-summer celebration event was about to kick off. It was a three-day event, starting Friday evening.
The city seemed to attract entertainment who were on their second/third/fourth lap, squeezing what they could out of the waning days of their careers. The city and surrounding area loved it.
On this celebration, Three Dog Night, the band, was headlining Saturday evening. I vaguely knew the band but recognized their song “One.”
I remember sitting with my grandma at her kitchen table, with my mom in the background, commenting on the band’s upcoming performance. I asked about the band and its name, and Grandma relayed a story that planted a visual picture of my great-grandpa in bed on a bitterly cold night with very few resources, save his favorite dogs to keep him warm.
Man, I was sure it'd have a more elaborate explanation than "That's a movie name."
For my saying, I nominate "It's a dog-eat-dog world," which often reminds me of a Reddit post where a person confessed they thought the saying went "It's a doggy dog world" until they were in their 30s, which I found entertaining and endearing.
We could easily do a piece just on "dog-eat-dog-world" and include the common misinterpretation. The origin of the phrase is also from Latin (shocking, I know), but it didn't mean what it means today.
On the "Dog Day Afternoon" origin, I thought this one was notable for how recent it has entered our lexicon. It's the same age as me!
I do not get read all of your work but every one that I have read has been terrific. This piece is a masterpiece and my favorite. And remember, “It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” (Apply this to Jui Jitsu)
Lastly, Tom Brady saying, “if you want to run with the big dogs, you got to run in the high grass.” He said this but I do not believe he owns this. Lol. Hope all is well.
I was actually just wondering about Dog Days the other day. Good to know! For some reason I associate this with late August when it's supposed to be winding down on hotness but there's a pocket usually that continues - but I guess that's Indian Summer?!
Dog Tired.
This one seems to have originated with Alfred the Great!
Three-dog-night.
One of my faves! Also relatively self-explanatory. Good one.
I can remember the moment when I learned the meaning of this phrase. I was young, maybe around 10, and my hometown’s end-of-summer celebration event was about to kick off. It was a three-day event, starting Friday evening.
The city seemed to attract entertainment who were on their second/third/fourth lap, squeezing what they could out of the waning days of their careers. The city and surrounding area loved it.
On this celebration, Three Dog Night, the band, was headlining Saturday evening. I vaguely knew the band but recognized their song “One.”
I remember sitting with my grandma at her kitchen table, with my mom in the background, commenting on the band’s upcoming performance. I asked about the band and its name, and Grandma relayed a story that planted a visual picture of my great-grandpa in bed on a bitterly cold night with very few resources, save his favorite dogs to keep him warm.
I love this. I shamelessly use dogs for warmth too (although they also use me!).
I double-dog dare you!
I will never forget that once scene in A Christmas Story where this figures prominently.
Man, I was sure it'd have a more elaborate explanation than "That's a movie name."
For my saying, I nominate "It's a dog-eat-dog world," which often reminds me of a Reddit post where a person confessed they thought the saying went "It's a doggy dog world" until they were in their 30s, which I found entertaining and endearing.
We could easily do a piece just on "dog-eat-dog-world" and include the common misinterpretation. The origin of the phrase is also from Latin (shocking, I know), but it didn't mean what it means today.
On the "Dog Day Afternoon" origin, I thought this one was notable for how recent it has entered our lexicon. It's the same age as me!
That dog don't hunt.
This one seems to have also originated in the south, probably Texas. Good one!
I can't think of any, doggonnit
Good one! Probably Scottish.
I do not get read all of your work but every one that I have read has been terrific. This piece is a masterpiece and my favorite. And remember, “It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” (Apply this to Jui Jitsu)
Lastly, Tom Brady saying, “if you want to run with the big dogs, you got to run in the high grass.” He said this but I do not believe he owns this. Lol. Hope all is well.
Thanks so much, Steve! I am glad this one hit you the most.
“If you're gonna run with the big dogs, you gotta learn how to lift your leg” might be my favorite variation of that quote.
LOVE THIS!!! ❤️
Yay!
I mean, I cheated. Dogs.
Not a common expression, but when someone tells me their dog died, I low-key respond with "That's ruff".
Dré, your bark is as bad as your bite!
Hall and Oates family man song my bark is much worse bite. Lol
I love that song! I bet we've rolled to it.
I was actually just wondering about Dog Days the other day. Good to know! For some reason I associate this with late August when it's supposed to be winding down on hotness but there's a pocket usually that continues - but I guess that's Indian Summer?!
I think so, although I would have considered Indian Summer more like this year's November, much after "actual summer" has ended.
You totally did. Well done! 😃
Wow, I don't think I've heard that one in a really long time!
Usually, that's not a bad guess.