Fun with Slang and Idioms

[Dips]

This really is more of a cultural misunderstanding than a brain burp and nobody was sucky, so it seems to fit in here:

One of the functions of our software is to drive a specific type of hardware device. We don't make any hardware or even sell it, but there are a dozen or so other companies which do make these devices.

We always let manufacturers have a free test license of our product and access to autobuilds (which are precursors to beta versions) so they have an opportunity to make sure that their things work with our stuff. Some care enough to take the time to test, others prefer not testing and blaming us if an issue comes up.

A few years ago, we were approached by a Japanese company who were were getting into the business. They had a prototype device which had a very nifty extra feature and were hoping our software would drive it and support the feature.

No problem. We gave them their free license. They loaned us a prototype. It was quite complicated but between them and us, we managed to get the everything working happily. They were going to unveil their device at a trade show in the US and asked us to review their English marketing materials. The first thing we noticed was that they had given the device a model name: the Dog.

So Mark got back to them and let them know that calling a mechanical device a "dog" doesn't really make it sound very reliable. Just like one wouldn't name a car model the the Lemon.

The device makers seemed incredulous, "But we thought Americans LIKE dogs! Because they are loyal and reliable. That doesn't make sense."

Mark had to concede that they were absolutely correct on all points, but for whatever reason, calling a machine a "dog" wasn't complimentary. He showed them the entry on the online dictionary:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dog

Luckily they chose to believe him and they had plenty of time to change the model name to something else before they unveiled it.

But, you know, they were right. Why the heck DO we use the word "dog" to describe an unreliable machine? It really doesn't make any sense.

[Chromatix]

Probably because although a well-trained dog is reliable, most dogs are not well trained - so they only obey if you watch them.

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

[RetailWorkhorse]

Well, I'll be dogged.

That actually does pull up a fairly good point. Slang is weird.
(Says the guy who's last name is slang for the male genatalia )

[marlovino]

Well, I'll be dogged.

That actually does pull up a fairly good point. Slang is weird.
(Says the guy who's last name is slang for the male genatalia )

I completely agree with you Mr. Dong.

[Evil Queen]

I hope I'm not the only one that read this title as "Fun with Slang and Idiots"

[smileyeagle1021]

I hope I'm not the only one that read this title as "Fun with Slang and Idiots"

"no it is you sir who are the idiom"
-kudos for the movie reference

and I wouldn't have even thought of that if EQ hadn't pointed out the title could be so easily misread

[Fenrus]

"no it is you sir who are the idiom"

"And you are a festizio! See, I can make up words too!"

I know, wrong movie... but it works for me!

[Chromatix]

"...like a Chinese phone directory. So many Wings and Wongs - every time you wing you get the wong number."

[Becks]

I hope I'm not the only one that read this title as "Fun with Slang and Idiots"

Nope. You weren't the only one.

[DesignFox]

"...like a Chinese phone directory. So many Wings and Wongs - every time you wing you get the wong number."

WOW. I haven't heard that one before...

I really apologize if that offends anyone, but I think that's funny.

[Chromatix]

I think it's a Willy Wonka quote. But don't quote me on that.

[Chanlin]

Etymology is sort of a hobby of mine. To make an educated guess, the word Dog has been used in a derogatory manner for several hundred years IE: "Those heathen dogs" The actual origin of the word itself is debated and more or less lost to time. However, the word itself has been associated with poor things

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=dog - States: Many expressions -- a dog's life (1607), go to the dogs (1619), etc. -- reflect earlier hard use of the animals as hunting accessories, not pampered pets. In ancient times, "the dog" was the worst throw in dice.

I personally have never heard it used to refer to a worthless machine, but it would not be surprising if the origin of such use came about from Black America where many more of the modern uses of the word dog as a slang term are attributed to. - I could go on at length trying to find more information or research on this, but I think finding an exact answer to how it came about to be used this way would take more time than I have to devote

[Broomjockey]

I personally have never heard it used to refer to a worthless machine,

I'd be more willing to bet its an extension of using "dog" to refer to "women of less than stellar physical attributes." AKA, a dog is a woman who doesn't measure up to the speaker's standards, so the machine doesn't measure up either.

[PepperElf]

i'm not surprised about the slang errors. having lived in japan for about a year or so... i've seen some unusual ones. ... like on some of the t-shirts in daiei mall and at more's city plaza*.

and they love dogs in japan.


(*i also found a semi-soft plastic pen holder, with "lube sheep" printed on the side... yeah )