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Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
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pensive hamster
Mar 30, 2020, 10:39:40 AM3/30/20
to
Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
Apparently, Trump has called Pelosi a 'sick puppy' over coronavirus
criticism:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490119-trump-calls-pelosi-a-sick-puppy-over-coronavirus-criticism
The term 'sick puppy' isn't much used in the UK, in my experience.
I have heard the phrase used by Americans, and assumed it meant
something similar to what 'silly billy' means over here.
'Silly billy' is slightly derogatory, but in an affectionate way:
-----------------------------
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sillybilly
'A person, who acts in a special way and is not afraid to do so. Usually
a small, cute, person who is very happy and can make you laugh
whenever they want to. Also some one who is very fun to be around
and acts in the silliest way possible.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Billy
'Silly Billy was a type of clown common at fairs in England during the
19th century. They were also common in London as a street entertainer,
along with the similar clown Billy Barlow.[1] The act included playing the
part of a fool or idiot, impersonating a child and singing comic songs.[2]
The role was typically played as a stooge to another clown.[3]'
-----------------------------
I had imagined 'sick puppy' to mean something similar (Puppies are
cute, right?) But I can't imagine Trump being even slightly affectionate
towards Pelosi, so I looked up 'sick puppy':
-----------------------------
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sick_puppy
' A person who is sick (mentally disturbed) in a morbid or gruesome way.'
https://www.lexico.com/definition/sick_puppy
US
1 informal A very ill person.
2 slang An abnormal, deviant, or deranged person.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one%20sick%20puppy
a person who is crazy, cruel, or disgusting
Anybody who would do that has to be one sick puppy.
-----------------------------
But this (UK-based) site says:
-----------------------------
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sick-puppy.html
Someone who behaves oddly, as a sick puppy might; for example, a
lovesick person who pines after their beloved.
This phrase originated in America in the early 20th century. There are
many examples in print of people being described as 'like a sick puppy'
- these usually relate to men mooning around after women they are
attracted to; for example, this piece from The Indianapolis Star,
7th May 1911:
"When a noted actress is in town," said one detective yesterday,
"lots of times some poor fool, wearing a carnation in his coat lapel, will
whine around after her like a sick puppy."
It took some time for the metaphor to develop. The first use I can find of
something that is described as being a 'sick puppy', as opposed to 'like a
sick puppy' is in a report in the Oklahoma newspaper The Lawton
Constitution And Morning Press, 29th December 1957. In this piece the
wealthy industrialist, and entrepreneur Powel Crosley Jr. talks about his
purchase of the baseball team The Cincinnati Redlegs and he uses
'sick puppy' to describe the club rather than an individual:
"I took the club years ago when it was a sick puppy. It was about
$200,000 in debt.
-----------------------------
So I am guessing that final definition is out of date now, and 'sick puppy'
is a fairly strong insult, and not at all affectionate.
Would that be correct?
Apparently, Trump has called Pelosi a 'sick puppy' over coronavirus
criticism:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490119-trump-calls-pelosi-a-sick-puppy-over-coronavirus-criticism
The term 'sick puppy' isn't much used in the UK, in my experience.
I have heard the phrase used by Americans, and assumed it meant
something similar to what 'silly billy' means over here.
'Silly billy' is slightly derogatory, but in an affectionate way:
-----------------------------
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sillybilly
'A person, who acts in a special way and is not afraid to do so. Usually
a small, cute, person who is very happy and can make you laugh
whenever they want to. Also some one who is very fun to be around
and acts in the silliest way possible.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Billy
'Silly Billy was a type of clown common at fairs in England during the
19th century. They were also common in London as a street entertainer,
along with the similar clown Billy Barlow.[1] The act included playing the
part of a fool or idiot, impersonating a child and singing comic songs.[2]
The role was typically played as a stooge to another clown.[3]'
-----------------------------
I had imagined 'sick puppy' to mean something similar (Puppies are
cute, right?) But I can't imagine Trump being even slightly affectionate
towards Pelosi, so I looked up 'sick puppy':
-----------------------------
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sick_puppy
' A person who is sick (mentally disturbed) in a morbid or gruesome way.'
https://www.lexico.com/definition/sick_puppy
US
1 informal A very ill person.
2 slang An abnormal, deviant, or deranged person.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one%20sick%20puppy
a person who is crazy, cruel, or disgusting
Anybody who would do that has to be one sick puppy.
-----------------------------
But this (UK-based) site says:
-----------------------------
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sick-puppy.html
Someone who behaves oddly, as a sick puppy might; for example, a
lovesick person who pines after their beloved.
This phrase originated in America in the early 20th century. There are
many examples in print of people being described as 'like a sick puppy'
- these usually relate to men mooning around after women they are
attracted to; for example, this piece from The Indianapolis Star,
7th May 1911:
"When a noted actress is in town," said one detective yesterday,
"lots of times some poor fool, wearing a carnation in his coat lapel, will
whine around after her like a sick puppy."
It took some time for the metaphor to develop. The first use I can find of
something that is described as being a 'sick puppy', as opposed to 'like a
sick puppy' is in a report in the Oklahoma newspaper The Lawton
Constitution And Morning Press, 29th December 1957. In this piece the
wealthy industrialist, and entrepreneur Powel Crosley Jr. talks about his
purchase of the baseball team The Cincinnati Redlegs and he uses
'sick puppy' to describe the club rather than an individual:
"I took the club years ago when it was a sick puppy. It was about
$200,000 in debt.
-----------------------------
So I am guessing that final definition is out of date now, and 'sick puppy'
is a fairly strong insult, and not at all affectionate.
Would that be correct?
Tony Cooper
Mar 30, 2020, 12:05:37 PM3/30/20
to
>-----------------------------
>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sick_puppy
>' A person who is sick (mentally disturbed) in a morbid or gruesome way.'
>
>https://www.lexico.com/definition/sick_puppy
>US
> 1 informal A very ill person.
> 2 slang An abnormal, deviant, or deranged person.
>
>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one%20sick%20puppy
> a person who is crazy, cruel, or disgusting
>Anybody who would do that has to be one sick puppy.
>-----------------------------
>
>But this (UK-based) site says:
>
>-----------------------------
>https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sick-puppy.html
> Someone who behaves oddly, as a sick puppy might; for example, a
>lovesick person who pines after their beloved.
>
"love" in there negates the deranged aspect. "puppy" is used there to
describe awkward, clumsy, and overly affectionate as little puppies
are.
However (and there is always a "however") someone could say "He's a
sick puppy if he thinks he can win her over." In this case, it's the
"crazy" usage of "sick" and "puppy" is just someone not mature enough
to know better.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Horace LaBadie
Mar 30, 2020, 1:29:25 PM3/30/20
to
In article <608063e9-ce34-4c38...@googlegroups.com>,
Sick puppy translates to rabid, as in mad dog.
As Tony notes, the mooning over meaning is conveyed by lovesick puppy.
As Tony notes, the mooning over meaning is conveyed by lovesick puppy.
Snidely
Apr 6, 2020, 1:41:10 AM4/6/20
to
Remember when pensive hamster bragged outrageously? That was Monday:
While I recognize the meaning as Tony and Horace describe it, I
wouldn't have expected it to be common.
I also note Trump says few things in public that are affectionate.
However, shaving dollars off the CDC and closing their advance warning
division seems to fit the description better than anything I've heard
his opposition say.
/dps
--
Trust, but verify.
wouldn't have expected it to be common.
I also note Trump says few things in public that are affectionate.
However, shaving dollars off the CDC and closing their advance warning
division seems to fit the description better than anything I've heard
his opposition say.
/dps
--
Trust, but verify.
Peter T. Daniels
Apr 6, 2020, 10:59:09 AM4/6/20
to
On Monday, April 6, 2020 at 1:41:10 AM UTC-4, Snidely wrote:
> Remember when pensive hamster bragged outrageously? That was Monday:
> > Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
> >
> > Apparently, Trump has called Pelosi a 'sick puppy' over coronavirus
> > criticism:
> > https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490119-trump-calls-pelosi-a-sick-puppy-over-coronavirus-criticism
>
> Remember when pensive hamster bragged outrageously? That was Monday:
> > Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
> >
> > Apparently, Trump has called Pelosi a 'sick puppy' over coronavirus
> > criticism:
> > https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490119-trump-calls-pelosi-a-sick-puppy-over-coronavirus-criticism
>
> While I recognize the meaning as Tony and Horace describe it, I
> wouldn't have expected it to be common.
>
> I also note Trump says few things in public that are affectionate.
He almost did yesterday -- maundering on about statistics, he came
> wouldn't have expected it to be common.
>
> I also note Trump says few things in public that are affectionate.
out with "I don't deal with models. I mean, that kind of models."
It's sure to make Colbert tonight!
> However, shaving dollars off the CDC and closing their advance warning
> division seems to fit the description better than anything I've heard
> his opposition say.
did in the first two years that endangered the General Welfare (which,
you may recall, is mentioned in the Preamble to the Constitution).
Steve Hayes
Apr 18, 2020, 9:15:28 PM4/18/20
to
On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:05:34 -0400, Tony Cooper wrote:
> The above three are the common meaning in the US of "sick puppy".
I thought "sick puppy" was usually preceded by "one".
> The above three are the common meaning in the US of "sick puppy".
As in "He's one sick puppy."
--
Steve Hayes http://khanya.wordpress.com
bebe...@aol.com
Apr 19, 2020, 12:37:18 PM4/19/20
to
Le lundi 30 mars 2020 16:39:40 UTC+2, pensive hamster a écrit :
> Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
Had English declensions, it could arguably be an inflected form of
> Meaning of 'sick puppy'?
"sock puppet".
Madhu
Apr 20, 2020, 8:25:12 AM4/20/20
to
* pensive hamster <608063e9-ce34-4c38...@googlegroups.com> :
Wrote on Mon, 30 Mar 2020 07:39:34 -0700 (PDT):
[sick puppy]
> The term 'sick puppy' isn't much used in the UK, in my experience. I
> have heard the phrase used by Americans, and assumed it meant
> something similar to what 'silly billy' means over here.
>
> 'Silly billy' is slightly derogatory, but in an affectionate way:
>
> -----------------------------
> https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sillybilly 'A person,
> who acts in a special way and is not afraid to do so. Usually a small,
> cute, person who is very happy and can make you laugh whenever they
> want to. Also some one who is very fun to be around and acts in the
> silliest way possible.'
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Billy 'Silly Billy was a type of
> clown common at fairs in England during the 19th century. They were
> also common in London as a street entertainer, along with the similar
> clown Billy Barlow.[1] The act included playing the part of a fool or
> idiot, impersonating a child and singing comic songs.[2] The role was
> typically played as a stooge to another
> clown.[3]' -----------------------------
Billi in Hindi means a cat. I think there were a couple of Hindi movies
> have heard the phrase used by Americans, and assumed it meant
> something similar to what 'silly billy' means over here.
>
> 'Silly billy' is slightly derogatory, but in an affectionate way:
>
> -----------------------------
> https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sillybilly 'A person,
> who acts in a special way and is not afraid to do so. Usually a small,
> cute, person who is very happy and can make you laugh whenever they
> want to. Also some one who is very fun to be around and acts in the
> silliest way possible.'
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Billy 'Silly Billy was a type of
> clown common at fairs in England during the 19th century. They were
> also common in London as a street entertainer, along with the similar
> clown Billy Barlow.[1] The act included playing the part of a fool or
> idiot, impersonating a child and singing comic songs.[2] The role was
> typically played as a stooge to another
> clown.[3]' -----------------------------
in the 70s or 80s where the villian character would have a - not a vamp
but a sidekick female character - whom he would address for comic
effect:"Billy, don't be Silly"
which I think became a sort of catch phrase.
Kerr-Mudd,John
Apr 20, 2020, 9:21:21 AM4/20/20
to
Mike Yarwood that created it.
--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.
Katy Jennison
Apr 20, 2020, 9:41:27 AM4/20/20
to
before that.
In fact, the OED dates the first use (in print) at 1749.
--
Katy Jennison
Athel Cornish-Bowden
Apr 20, 2020, 9:44:29 AM4/20/20
to
>
> In fact, the OED dates the first use (in print) at 1749.
--
athel
> In fact, the OED dates the first use (in print) at 1749.
--
Jerry Friedman
Apr 20, 2020, 10:20:46 AM4/20/20
to
On 4/18/20 7:15 PM, Steve Hayes wrote:
> On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:05:34 -0400, Tony Cooper wrote:
>
>> The above three are the common meaning in the US of "sick puppy".
>
> I thought "sick puppy" was usually preceded by "one".
>
> As in "He's one sick puppy."
That and "a sick puppy" might be about equally common at COCA.
> On Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:05:34 -0400, Tony Cooper wrote:
>
>> The above three are the common meaning in the US of "sick puppy".
>
> I thought "sick puppy" was usually preceded by "one".
>
> As in "He's one sick puppy."
"a sick puppy": 32
"one sick puppy": 23
But some of the hits on "a sick puppy" are about literal sick puppies.
But then there are four hits on "a very sick puppy", all referring to
people, and none on "one very sick puppy".
--
Jerry Friedman
Kerr-Mudd,John
Apr 20, 2020, 5:11:17 PM4/20/20
to
impression of him.
Better?
![Peter Duncanson [BrE]'s profile photo](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjU1GGYFBCZgBCNB-pRgkosMu-ej0qpnECw3jc8uGYOTiF8a=s40-c)
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
Apr 20, 2020, 6:01:32 PM4/20/20
to
OED:
silly billy n. (also with capital initials) a feeble-minded
person, a fool; (now in weakened sense, esp. as an affectionate
term of reproof) a silly or somewhat foolish person.
Used spec. as a nickname of William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester
(1776–1834), for his alleged lack of intelligence, and of William
IV (1765–1837), for his supposed eccentricity.
1749 I. G. (title) The History of Filchum Cantum; or a Merry
and diverting Dialogue between Apollo a Senator, Foolish Harry,
Silly Billy, a Griffin, a Printer, [etc.].
1833 W. Cobbett New French & Eng. Dict. i. 303/1 Nicodème, a
silly Billy.
....
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
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