[Lexicog] food for thought

[Translation MALI]

Not exactly an answer to your question,* John,
but what is typical about the behavior of "dogs"
when we find their behavior transferred to the
human realm as in expressions "dog eat dog"?
It reminds me of the fact that dogs come from
wolves who are dangerous because of the use
they make of their teeth. Thomas Hobbes said
"Homo homini lupus" (Man is/becomes a wolf to man).
So is "internecine/fraticidal" part of prototypical
canine behavior?

Fritz Goerling

*Unless dogs are comestibles among themselves.


On Tuesday, March 16, 2004 12:52 AM Ron Moe said:

> We've got lots of other nice expressions based on the behavior of dogs:
"He
> bristled." "He pricked up his ears." "My tongue was hanging out." "I'm
> drooling at the thought." "Chasing your tail." "The tail wagging the dog."
> "Go at it tooth and nail." "Puppy love." "I'm in the dog house." "It's a
> dog's life." "Hot on the scent." "Sniffing around." Although these are all
> idioms, they are not so frozen that they have lost their doggish flavor.
> They still conjure up images of dogs. So should they all be made
subentries
> under 'dog'? How do we link related metaphors?

What metaphorical extensions from the concept DOG exist in those cultures
where 'dog' is a comestible? Are they significantly different to those
cultures where 'dog' is not a comestible?

John Roberts





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