15 different proverbs, idioms and sayings about cats and/or dogs are discussed in this essay, such as "It is raining cats and dogs". These expressions are examined in chronological order, starting with those which emerged in the Middle English Period and ending with those which have their origins in the Modern English Period. In addition to a short overview of different linguistic periods, each phrase is discussed in detail. For each expression, details like their first appearance in literature, origin stories and their meaning(s) are presented.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Expressions Recorded in the Middle English Period (1100-1450)
2.1. To bell the cat
2.2. Let sleeping dogs lie
2.3. A living dog is better than a dead lion
3. Expressions Recorded in the Early Modern English Period (1450-1750)
3.1. Love me, love my dog
3.2. Dog does not eat dog
3.3. A cat has nine lives
3.4. A cat may look at a king
3.5. Dog days
3.6. Dogs of war
3.7. It is raining cats and dogs
3.8. Like a cat on hot bricks
3.9. Give a dog a bad name and hang him
4. Expressions Recorded in the Modern English Period (1750-1950)
4.1. To let the cat out of the bag
4.2. The hair of the dog that bit you
4.3. To grin like a Cheshire cat
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Scope
This work explores the historical development, linguistic origins, and social context of various proverbs and idioms involving cats and dogs in the English language. By chronologically analyzing these expressions across three historical periods, the study aims to uncover how these animals have been perceived throughout history and how their usage in language reflects human attitudes.
- Analysis of idiomatic and proverbial usage from the Middle English to the Modern English period.
- Examination of the etymological roots and first documented historical records of selected phrases.
- Investigation of how cultural and social factors influenced the linguistic construction of these metaphors.
- Exploration of how the negative or ambiguous connotations of dogs and cats are embedded in idiomatic speech.
- Evaluation of the continued relevance of these historic expressions in contemporary social discourse.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2. Dog does not eat dog
This phrase can be traced back to the Latin canis caninam non est, which translates into 'a dog does not eat dog's flesh' (Speake 2015: 79; Ayto 2010: 97). The Latin version can for example be found in De Lingua Latina VII by M. Terentivs Varro who lived from 116 to 27 B.C. (Speake 2015: 79) The English form “dates back to the mid-16th-century” (Ayto 2010: 97) and specifically to W. Turner's Hunting of Romish Fox in 1543 (Speake 2010: 79). The first instance of the proverb exactly as mentioned in this subchapter's title seems to be in 1866 (2010: 79).
Evans calls the proverb equivalent to There is honour among thieves (1989: 338), which illustrates its essence fairly well. Dog does not eat dog means that people belonging to the same kind – for example to the same family, profession or gender – should not hinder or harm each other (Speake 2015: 79). In more recent times, however, the expression is employed either sarcastically or in a manner which reverses the original meaning. An example of its sarcastic use is given by Speake when she quotes a character of the detective novel A Going Concern (1994) by Catherine Aird: “I always thought that dog doesn't eat dog […] But I suppose I'm old-fashioned.” (qtd. in 2015: 80) In line with this change is the emergence of the more recent expression Dog eat dog. According to Ayto, this version has become more prevalent than the original proverb. It can already be found in 1998 (Ayto 2010: 97) and refers to “a situation of fierce competition in which people are willing to harm each other in order to succeed” (2010: 97). Hence, this form presents a harsh contrast to the earlier one and carries the opposite implication.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines the core terminology (proverb, idiom, saying) and establishes the chronological framework covering Middle, Early Modern, and Modern English.
2. Expressions Recorded in the Middle English Period (1100-1450): Examines phrases like "To bell the cat" and "Let sleeping dogs lie," contextualized by the linguistic influence of the Norman Conquest and the rise of English literature.
3. Expressions Recorded in the Early Modern English Period (1450-1750): Analyzes idioms such as "Dogs of war" and "It is raining cats and dogs" against the backdrop of the Renaissance, printing press, and the development of Standard English.
4. Expressions Recorded in the Modern English Period (1750-1950): Focuses on phrases like "To let the cat out of the bag" and "The hair of the dog that bit you," reflecting the standardization of language and industrial-era influences.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the cultural perception of cats and dogs as seen through language, highlighting the shift from utilitarian animal metaphors to reflecting complex human attitudes.
Keywords
Idioms, Proverbs, Linguistics, Middle English, Early Modern English, Modern English, Etymology, Language Development, Animal Metaphors, Cultural History, Folklore, Semantic Change, Historical Records, Sociolinguistics, Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study investigates the origin, historical development, and usage of various English proverbs and idioms that feature cats and dogs, tracing their appearance in written records.
Which historical periods are covered in the analysis?
The work covers three main periods: the Middle English period (1100-1450), the Early Modern English period (1450-1750), and the Modern English period (1750-1950).
What is the central research question?
The research explores how these idioms reflect the historical relationship between humans and animals and how the perception of these animals has shifted over time within the English language.
What methodology is employed by the author?
The author uses a chronological analysis based on the first written documentation of each expression, supported by historical, etymological, and literary references.
What subjects are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body contains individual chapters for each expression, detailing their historical context, original meaning, and how their usage has evolved or adapted to modern contexts.
What are the key terms that characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as idiom, proverb, etymology, language development, and the cultural perception of animals in historical literature.
How does the author distinguish between an idiom and a proverb?
The author defines a proverb as a traditional sentence offering moral advice, while an idiom is described as a fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from its individual parts.
Why are dogs often associated with hardship in these expressions?
The author suggests this stems from the historical reality of dogs as working or hunting animals that endured harsh conditions before becoming common household pets.
How does the "Cheshire cat" proverb relate to the rest of the text?
It serves as an example of an expression where the origin is uncertain but which became popularized through literary works, specifically Lewis Carroll's literature.
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- Silvia Schilling (Autor:in), 2018, An Analysis of English Expressions Concerning Cats and Dogs, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/520593
