🐶 The Dog Ate My Homework
The Dog Ate My Homework - A humorous and highly implausible excuse used to explain why one has not completed an expected task. It’s a classic among procrastinators and creative excuse-makers, invoking a scene where one’s innocent canine companion is blamed for personal negligence.
Origin: The excuse gained wide recognition in the late 20th century and has since become a staple in jokes, TV shows, and even news articles. A notable play on this excuse appeared in a Boston Globe headline for the book “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr, captioned “The Internet Ate My Brain” (June 6, 2010).
Variants and Related Terms:
- “The cat knocked it over” – Blaming the feline for scattering important documents.
- “My goldfish drowned” – A more outlandish excuse with a touch of absurdity.
- “The computer crashed” – A modern tech-savvy version.
- “Aliens abducted it” – For when terrestrial excuses just won’t do.
Synonyms: Fabricated excuse, tall tale, far-fetched excuse.
Antonyms: Legitimate reason, honest explanation.
🎞️ In Pop Culture
- TV Show: “The Simpsons” frequently highlights Bart’s creative excuses for incomplete assignments.
- Book: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” where Dudley often uses creative excuses to wriggle out of tasks.
Famous Excuse Quote
“I’m sorry I’m late, but my GPS said ‘Honey, you should take the scenic route today!’” – Anonymous
Proverbs Similar in Spirit
- “Men’s excuse for their failures is generally to put the blame on the environment.” – Greek proverb.
- “No fact so sublime but it may be trivial to the solipsist, and of no great use to the pragmatist.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
📚 Suggested Literature, Books, and Movies:
- Books: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon – for more unusual canine behavior.
- Movies: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” – a teen classic featuring all manner of creative excuse-making.
🎤 Songs:
- “Excuses” by Colin Hay – pondering everyday excuses and the human tendency to reach for them.
Farewell Thought: Always have a bottomless bag of creative excuses to spice up your life – but remember, honesty might just be the best policy… unless a dog genuinely ate your homework!
— Penelope P. Plausible, 2023
