Happy CNY! Let's see how well you know about words/phrases related to dogs!
Happy New Year, readers! While it is important to revise and study, it is also equally important to take time off to enjoy with your family. As such, we have incorporated the festive season into our articles with nine words and phrases related to dogs that you may not be aware of.
1. Cynic
A cynic refers to someone who is disbelieving and distrustful. While it appears to have nothing to do with dogs whatsoever, it was likely used to refer to the meeting place of the Ancient Greek followers of Antisthenes, Kynosarge, which means “Gray Dog”. The word cynic as a disbelieving and distrustful person became recognised in the late 1500s.
“He was a cynic when it came to politics.”
2. Bawl
Baulare meant “to bark like a dog” in Latin and was originally used simply to refer to canines. However, as the sobs of distressed human beings bore an uncanny resemblance to the sounds of dogs, bawl is now a verb used to describe loud crying.
“She bawled loudly after falling down.”
3. Let sleeping dogs lie
To let sleeping dogs lie means to avoid talking about matters that have caused issues in the past so as to preserve the current peaceful situation. Its relation to dogs is derived from the fact that dogs tend to be unpredictable when they are disturbed.
“My father never talked about my mother. I decided not to ask because maybe it was better to let sleeping dogs lie.”
4. It’s better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
This idiom includes another animal besides a man's best friend. It refers to the fact that it is more desirable to be leading something less significant and prestigious compared to being an unimportant part of something big.
“You should try starting your own business. After all, it's better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.”
5. Crooked as a dog's hind leg
This phrase is a reference to how a dog's hind legs are naturally bent and crooked, and is used to describe people who are dishonest, corrupt or unscrupulous.
“That conman is as crooked as a dog's hind leg.”
6. He who lies down with dogs, rises with fleas.
A non-canine version would be “You are known by the company you keep”. This proverb refers to how associating with the wrong company may ruin or tarnish your reputation.
“You should stop spending so much time with Benjamin when he's known for being a bully. He who lies down with dogs, rises with fleas.”
7. Like a dog with two tails
This phrase is used to describe extreme happiness and serves as a good synonym for feelings of jubilation. It is a reference to how when dogs are happy, they wag their tails extremely hard – to the point that it looks like they have two of them!
“When she learnt that she passed her PSLE with flying colours, she was like a dog with two tails.”
8. Barking up the wrong tree
This phrase means to be following a misguided line of thought or action. It was used literally in early 1800s America, when hunting with packs of dogs was common. As prey animals tricked dogs into believing they climbed up a particular tree when they had actually escaped, the dogs barking at the bottom of an empty tree were said to be “barking up the wrong tree.” It can be a good phrase to use regarding misunderstandings!
“I have been trying to complete this math question for the past hour but I think I may have been barking up the wrong tree.”
9. Raining cats and dogs
To say that it is raining cats and dogs means that there is a heavy downpour. While there are many different theories on how this phrase came to, the most common one says that in the past, dogs and cats would hide in the thatched roofs of houses. When it rained, they would be washed out or be forced to abandon it, making it seem as though it was really raining cats and dogs.
“It was raining cats and dogs earlier. My socks are soaked!”
Now, you're ready for the year of dog!