• DOG
n. 1. c1330 colloq. – a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
n. 2. a1618 sl. – a man of the stated sort, as a ‘lucky dog’
n. 3. 1846 US & Aust. sl. – a traitor; one who is disloyal to associates
n. 4. 1889 Amer. dial. – style; pretentiousness; affected display
n. 5. Bk1896 sl. – a short crowbar, used by housebreakers
n. 6. 1900 Amer. dial. – a sausage or frankfurter; a hot dog
n. 7. 1913 Amer. dial. – a foot or shoe
n. 8. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a term of disparagement
n. 9. 1919 Amer. dial. – an inferior animal; a cheap horse
n. 10. 1934 Amer. dial. – an inexperienced person; a novice
n. 11. 1937 sl., derogatory – an unattractive or boring girl or woman
n. 12 1938 US sl. – something unsatisfactory or inferior
n. 13. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a racehorse (turf usage)
n. 14. 1944 sl. – a horse that is slow, difficult to handle, etc.
n. 15. Amer. World War II sl. – an infantryman
n. 16. 1960 Brit. rhyming sl. – ‘Dog and Bone’ – the telephone
n. 17. 1965 Amer. dial. – sexual desire, lust
n. 18. 1968 Amer. dial. – a lackey, a stooge
n. 19. 20C US colloq. – a male friend; used as a term of address
vb. 1. 1896 Amer. dial. – to nag, to pester, to harass; to mistreat, to upset
vb. 2. Bk1903 sl. – to possess carnally
vb. 3. 1938 Amer. dial. – to tell a lie
vb. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to depart hurriedly
vb. 5. 1967 Amer. dial. – to cheat someone
vb. 6. 20C teen & high school sl. – to beat up
vb. 7. 20C teen & high school sl. – to criticize or bother
vb. 8. 20C teen & high school sl. – to crumble under pressure
vb. 9. 20C teen & high school sl. – to intentionally ignore
• THE DOG
n. 1930s sl. – syphilis
• DOG-A-BIT!
int. 1877 Sc. – confound it!
• DOGAN
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a Roman Catholic
• DOG AND BONE
n. 1960 Brit. rhyming sl. – the telephone
• DOG AND PONY ACT
n. 1970s Amer. sl. – an elaborately prepared or staged presentation, event, etc. intended to sway or convince
• DOG AND PONY SHOW
n. 1. 1920s Amer. sl. – a derisive name for a small circus
n. 2. 1970s sl. – a press conference; any carefully prepared performance
• DOG-ASS
adj. 20C Amer. sl. – wretched; inferior; pitiable
• DOG-ASSED
adj. 20C Amer. sl – wretched; inferior; pitiable
• DOG-ASS TIRED
adj. 1969 Amer. sl. – completely tired
• DOG-BEHIND
vb. 2003 Trinidad and Tobago usage – to beg for a favour
• DOG BITE IT!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance or disgust
• DOG BIT ‘EM
phr. 1941 Amer. dial. – said of an unmarried, pregnant woman
• DOG BLAST!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance
• DOG-BODIED
adv. 1942 Amer. dial., euphemism – damned darned
► DOG-BOLT adj. wretched, miserable, mean, base, degraded, contemptible → 1580 obs.
n. 1. a person who is at someone else’s command, a menial, a dogsbody → 1465 arch.
n. 2. a contemptible fellow; a mean wretch or villain → 1625 arch.
• DOGBONE
n. 1. 1980 US sl. – in electric line work: an EHV yoke plate
n. 2. 1984 US sl. – the weapon panel in the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom aircraft
• DOG BONES
n. false teeth – 1966 Amer. dial.
• DOGBOX
n. 1. 1905 Aust. sl. – a type of small and basic compartment in a railway carriage
n. 2. 1971 US sl. – a truck’s gear box
• DOG BREATH
n. 1. 1944 US sl. – bad-smelling breath
n. 2. 1996 US sl. – cigarette smoke
n. 3. 2000 US sl. – a contemptible person; used as a term of abuse
• DOG CATCHER
n. 1. 1931 Amer. dial., railroad usage – one of a crew sent to relieve a crew that has become outlawed
n. 2. 1969 Amer. dial. – a constable
n. 3. 1971 US sl. – any fast truck
• DOG CHASERS
n. 1940 Amer. dial., railroad usage – a crew sent to relieve a crew that has become outlawed
• DOG CLUTCH
n. 1967 US sl. – an involuntary locking of the vaginal muscles, imprisoning the penis; common in dogs, not so common in humans
• DOG COCK
n. 1998 NZ sl. – chub sausage
• DOG COLLAR
n. 1. 1861 UK sl. – a white clerical collar
n. 2. 1903 UK sl. – a tight-fitting necklace; a choker necklace
• DOG CORNER
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – an out-of-the-way or very unimportant place
• DOG DAMN!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance
• DOG-DANCE
vb. 1965 Barbados usage – to give the impression that you are following someone very closely
• DOG-DANCING
n. 1967 Can. sl. – useless or exaggerated activity
• DOG DAYS
n. 1960 US sl. – a woman’s menstrual period
• DOG-DIRDER
n. 1825 Sc. – a dog-breaker, a kennel attendant
• DOG DO
n. 1979 US sl. – dog faeces
• DOG DOCTOR
n. 1954 Amer. dial. – a physician who is not very capable
• DOGDOM
n. 1854 jocular usage – the world or realm of dogs
• DOG-DOO
n. 20C Amer. sl. – dog excrement
• DOG DOODY
n. 2001 US euphemism – dog excrement
• DOG DRIVER
n. 1977 UK sl., insulting or contemptuous usage – a police officer
• DOG DRUNK
adj. 1859 Amer. dial. – very drunk
• DOG-EARED
adj. 1. 1894 Amer. sl. – old; hackneyed; outworn
adj. 2. 19C Amer. sl. – worn, creased, and rumpled; shabby, unkempt
• DOG-EAT-CAT
adj. 1966 Amer. dial. – ruthlessly competitive
• DOG EAT DOG
adj. 1854 Amer. sl. – ruthlessly competitive and often cruel
n. 1822 – ruthless competition or self-interest
• DOG-EATER
n. 1963 US sl. – a member of the Indian Sioux Indian tribe
• DOG EAT YOUR SHAME!
int. 1958 Trinidad and Tobago – used to express complete disgust
• DOG-END
n. 1935 Brit. sl. – a cigarette butt
• DOGESS
n. 20C teen & high school sl. – a bitch
• DOG EYE
n. 1. 1944 Amer. dial. – a reproachful or strong, direct stare
n. 2. c1970 Amer. dial. – a multi-coloured marble
• DOGFACE
n. 1. 1849 US sl. – an ugly person or thing
n. 2. 1932 US sl. – a soldier, esp. an ordinary infantryman in the US army
• DOG-FACED
adj. 1962 Amer. dial. – contemptible
• DOG-FACTOR
n. 1970s US students’ sl. – the number of ugly women
• DOG FEED
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a bony or poor-looking horse
• DOGFIGHT
n. 1. Amer. World War II usage – a fight between two or more airplanes
n. 2. c1950 Amer. dial. – a coarse, vulgar event
• DOG FINGER
n. 1926 Amer. dial. – the index or middle finger
• DOG FIT
n. c1960 Amer. dial. – an emotional outburst, usually of anger
• DOG FOOD
n. World War II Amer. sl. – corned beef hash
• DOG FOOT IT!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance
• DOG FOX
n. 1902 Amer. dial. – a male fox
• DOG-GARN IT!
int. 1965 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance
• DOGGED OUT
adj. 1934 Amer. dial. – dressed up
• DOGGED UP
adj. 1968 Amer. dial. – dressed up
• DOGGERY
n. 1821 Amer. dial. – a place where spirituous liquors are sold; a saloon; a groggery; a ‘dive’
• DOGGESS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a female dog
• DOGGIE
n. 1. 1825 sl. – an affectionate or child’s term for a dog
n. 2. 1900 US college sl. – a sausage
n. 3. 1909 sl. – an officer’s servant or assistant
n. 4. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – an infantryman
• DOGGISH
adj. 1. a1425 rare – malicious, spiteful, bad-tempered, ill-natured; snappish, snarling; cynical
adj. 2. 1594 – brutish, bestial; lecherous; sensual
adj. 3. 1968 Amer. dial. – greedy, stingy
• DOGGISH APPETITE
n. a1620 obs. rare – a ravenous or insatiable appetite
• DOGGISH LETTER
n. 1599 obs. rare – the letter ‘R’, from its resemblance in sound to the snarl of a dog
• DOGGITY
adj. 1954 Amer. dial. – hateful, stubborn, mean
• DOG-GIVEN
adj. c1611 obs. – addicted to dogs
• DOGGONE MY CATS!
int. 1908 Amer. dial. – used as an expression of surprise, amazement, annoyance
• DOGGONE MY BUTTONS!
int. 19C sl. – a mild oath
• DOGGY
adj. 1. 1897 Amer. dial. – stylish, fashionable
adj. 2. 1930 Amer. dial. – listless, indolent; slow; lacking in energy
adj. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
n. 1. 1825 sl. – an affectionate or child’s term for a dog
n. 2. 1909 sl. – an officer’s servant or assistant
• DOGHOLE
n. 1. 1818 Amer. dial. – a place where spirituous liquors are sold; a saloon; a groggery; a ‘dive’
n. 2. 1943 Amer. dial. – a small mine, esp. a coal mine
n. 3. 20C – a squalid dwelling place
• DOG HOLLER
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – an out-of-the-way or very unimportant place
• DOGHOUSE
n. 1. 1898 Amer. dial. – a caboose
n. 2. 1936 Amer. dial., cowboy usage – a bunk-house
n. 3. 1937 Amer. dial., jocular usage – a jail
• DOG-HUNGRY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – hungry
• DOGIE
n. M20 US drug culture sl. – heroin
• DOG IN THE MANGER
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a surly or contrary person
• DOG IT
vb. 1. 1905 sl., orig. US – to act lazily or half-heartedly; to shirk or avoid responsibility, risk, etc.
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be slow
vb. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to depart hurriedly
vb. 4. 20C teen & high school sl. – to work hard
• DOG KILLER
n. 1. 1966 Amer. dial. – the assistant to the top person in charge of a group of workmen
n. 2. 1968 Amer. dial. – inferior or adulterated liquor
• DOG LATIN
n. 1908 Amer. dial. – very bad Latin
• DOGLEG
n. 1858 Amer. dial. – poor quality tobacco, sold in twists
• DOGLET
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a small dog or pup
• DOG-MEAN
adj. 1914 Amer. dial. – ill-tempered, malicious
• DOG-MEANNESS
n. 1914 Amer. dial. – ill will, spite, malice
• DOG MIRE
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – a very heavy rain
• DOG MY CATS!
int. 1853 Amer. dial. – used as an expression of surprise, amazement, annoyance
• DOG MY HIDE!
int. 1941 Amer. dial. – used as an expression of surprise, amazement, annoyance
• DOG-NAP
n. 1835 Amer. dial. – a brief or light sleep; a short nap taken while sitting
• DOG NUT
n. 1967 Amer. dial., jocular usage – a doughnut
• A DOG OF A DIFFERENT HAIR
n. 1867 Eng. dial. – a person or thing of a different kind
• DOG ON A STICK
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a cooked frankfurter sold on a stick
• DOG OPERA
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – the bedtime howling of Alaskan dogs
• DOGPATCH
n. 1. 1950 Amer. dial. – a remote place, or a very small or unimportant place
n. 2. 1965 Amer. dial. – the part of a town where the poorer people, or foreign groups live
• DOGPELTER
n. 1859 Amer. dial. – an imaginary official; a term of contempt
• DOG POOR
adj. 1895 Amer. dial. – very poor
• DOG-ROBBER
n. 1. 1863 sl., orig. US – a navy or army officer’s orderly; a handyman at a camp; a subservient person
n. 2. 1958 Amer. dial., logging usage – a camp cook who uses up the scraps too closely in feeding the loggers, and has nothing left to feed the dog
• DOG-ROBBERS
n. 1898 sl. – civilian clothes worn by a naval officer on shore leave
• DOGS
n. 1913 sl. – the feet
• DOG’S AGE
n. 1836 Amer. sl. – a long time
• DOG’S BAIT
n. 1933 Amer. dial. – a large or excessive amount, usually of food
• DOGSBODY
n. 1922 colloq., orig. nautical usage – a junior person, esp. one to whom a variety of menial tasks is given; a drudge
• THE DOG’S BOLLOCKS
n. 1989 Brit. sl. – an excellent person or thing
• DOG’S BOW-WOW
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• A DOG’S BREAKFAST
n. 1892 sl. – something that is messy or bungled
• A DOG’S CHANCE
n. 1890 – no chance at all
• A DOG’S DINNER
n. 1902 sl. – something that is messy or bungled
• DOG’S EGGS
n. 1973 Amer. dial., jocular usage – something nonexistent
• THE DOG’S FOOT!
int. 1838 Amer. dial. – used as an expression of disgust or contempt
• DOG’S FUZZY ASS AND YOU’RE GOOD TO FEEL IT
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• DOG SHOW
n. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – foot inspection
• DOGSLEEP
n. 1614 obs. – a feigned or fitful sleep
• A DOG’S LIFE
n. a1528 – a wretched existence
• DOG’S MESS
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a large or excessive amount, usually of food
• DOG’S MOUTH
n. 1876 Amer. dial. – a snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
• DOGS OF EASEMENT
n. 1616 obs. – dogs employed to take up the chase in place of those that are spent
• DOGS OF WAR
n. 1. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – Marines
n. 2. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – artillery
n. 3. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – bombers
n. 4. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – warships
• DOG STUD
n. 1899 Amer. dial., derogatory – the husband of a woman who has no children
• DOG TAG
n. 1918 US sl. – an identity disc
• DOG TAG ON FILE
adj. Bk2004 Amer. World War I sl. – dead and buried
• DOGTAIL CORNERS
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – an out-of-the-way or very unimportant place
• DOG-TAIL RAILROAD
n. 1888 Amer. dial. – a line that starts from a place of no consequence and runs nowhere
• DOG TAKE IT!
int. 1908 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of annoyance
• DOG-TIRED
adj. colloq. – exhausted
• DOG TOWN
n. 1838 Amer. dial. – a small, out-of-the-way place; a poor or depressed section of a town
• DOG TRACKS
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – illegible handwriting
• DOG-TREAT
vb. 1942 Amer. dial. – to treat badly
• DOG TRICK
n. 1899 Amer. dial. – a mean or currish trick; an ill-natured practical joke
• DOGTROT
n. 1901 Amer. dial. – a covered, open passageway between two sections of a house or cabin
• DOG-TROT HOLLOW
n. 1935 Amer. dial. – a small or out-of-the-way place
• DOG-TROT HOUSE
n. 1984 Amer. dial. – a house of two one-room cabins joined by a roof
• DOG TURD
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a big cigar
• DOG WAGON
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – the vehicle that takes arrested people to the police station or to jail
• DOG WALK
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a covered, open passageway between two sections of a house or cabin
• DOGWATCH
n. 1. 1901 sl., chiefly US – a night shift, esp. in a newspaper office, or to any late or early period of duty, or the staff employed on this
n. 2. 1945 Amer. dial. – the evening hours
• DOG WEATHER
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – dry weather
• DOG WITH A LONG WHEEL BASE AND A LOW ROAD CLEARANCE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a dachshund
• DOGWOOD WINTER
n. 1904 Amer. dial. – a period of cold weather in the spring
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