My dogs are barkingis an American idiom. We will examine the meaning of the common idiommy dogs are barking, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences.
My dogs are barking is a phrase that simply means my feet hurt. In this case, the word dogs means feet and the word barking means hurts. The expression my dogs are barking can be traced to journalist T. Dorgan, who worked for the New York Evening Journal. He coined many phrases, often using rhyming slang. Supposedly, the phrase dog meat became feet in this idiom. The term my dogs are barking was popularized throughout the world by American servicemen.
Examples
I wore Marco Rubio’s boots — and my dogs are barking(New York Daily News)
“My dogs are barking today,” actor John Candy says with almost palpable relief as he removes his shoes and socks in his airplane seat and rubs his feet, in a scene from the comedy movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” (U.S. News)
The brand’s name comes from the saying ‘my dogs are barking’, meaning ‘my feet hurt’ (no, us neither – clearly a West Coast thing) and the collection addresses every fashionista’s big dilemma: what’s the cool alternative to the – yawn – ballet flat? (Marie Claire)
See AlsoUnderstanding Why Dogs Bark
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As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of language and idiomatic expressions, I'd like to delve into the fascinating world of the American idiom "My dogs are barking." This expression, while seemingly simple, carries a rich history and usage that extends beyond its literal meaning.
The phrase "My dogs are barking" is an idiom that conveys the sensation of foot discomfort or pain, with the word 'dogs' referring to feet and 'barking' indicating aching or hurting. This colorful expression can be traced back to the inventive mind of journalist T. Dorgan, who was associated with the New York Evening Journal. Dorgan was known for coining various phrases, often employing rhyming slang. In this case, the idiom is believed to have originated from the phrase "dog meat," which playfully evolved into a term representing feet.
What adds a historical touch to this idiom is its popularization by American servicemen, spreading its usage worldwide. Now, let's explore how this idiom is employed in various contexts through examples:
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New York Daily News Quote:
- "I wore Marco Rubio’s boots — and my dogs are barking."
- In this instance, the speaker is humorously expressing that wearing Marco Rubio's boots has caused discomfort to their feet. The use of the idiom adds a playful and colloquial tone to the statement.
- "I wore Marco Rubio’s boots — and my dogs are barking."
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U.S. News Movie Scene:
- "My dogs are barking today,” actor John Candy says with almost palpable relief as he removes his shoes and socks in his airplane seat and rubs his feet, in a scene from the comedy movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
- Here, the actor is using the idiom to convey physical relief from foot pain after a presumably long and uncomfortable journey.
- "My dogs are barking today,” actor John Candy says with almost palpable relief as he removes his shoes and socks in his airplane seat and rubs his feet, in a scene from the comedy movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
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Marie Claire Fashion Commentary:
- "The brand’s name comes from the saying ‘my dogs are barking’, meaning ‘my feet hurt’ (no, us neither – clearly a West Coast thing) and the collection addresses every fashionista’s big dilemma..."
- This example showcases the incorporation of the idiom into the brand's name, emphasizing the understanding that 'my dogs are barking' equals 'my feet hurt.' It adds a touch of colloquialism to the fashion commentary.
- "The brand’s name comes from the saying ‘my dogs are barking’, meaning ‘my feet hurt’ (no, us neither – clearly a West Coast thing) and the collection addresses every fashionista’s big dilemma..."
In conclusion, the idiom "My dogs are barking" transcends its literal meaning, offering a vibrant glimpse into the linguistic creativity of T. Dorgan and its adoption into popular culture through various contexts and expressions. If you find joy in exploring idiomatic expressions, you might also appreciate delving into other colorful phrases like "Mop the floor with someone," "More bang for one’s buck," or "Motherhood and apple pie." Language truly is a fascinating journey!
