Sick as a Dog: and Other Expressive Ills 🤮
To Feel Very Ill, Particularly to Feel Nauseated
Ah, “sick as a dog,” a phrase that’s been causing heads to nod knowingly (before retreating rapidly to the nearest restroom) since at least the sixteenth century. Despite dogs’ status as man’s best friend, our pawed pals have taken quite a hit in this phrase, suggesting a state of miserable queasiness. It’s not all doom and gloom for our canine companions though—they’ve had less unfortunate mentions in other sayings (stay tuned for “dog-tired”).
Related Terms:
- Down for the count
- Green around the gills
- Under the weather
Synonyms:
- Nauseous
- Queasy
- Unwell
Antonyms:
- Healthy
- Well
- Energized
Humor-filled Quotes:
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside… is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.” — Milan Kundera
“…unless you’re sick as a dog. Then just aim for the yard.” — Anon
Similar Expressions and Idioms:
- Sick to one’s stomach: Meaning nauseous.
- Peaked: Looking pale or feverish.
- Green around the gills: Appear visibly sick or nauseated.
Proverbs:
- “A man who keeps company with dogs will learn to rise early.”
Literature and Pop Culture:
-
Books:
- The Sick Rose: Disease and the Visual Imagination by Richard Barnett
- How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard
-
Poetry:
- “The Sick Rose” by William Blake
-
Movies:
- Sicko (2007) by Michael Moore
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Songs:
- “Sick as a Dog” by Aerosmith
Inspirational Farewell:
Remember, much like catching a bug from a friend’s sneeze, expressions spread and mutate, becoming part of our everyday lingo. The next time you feel “sick as a dog,” don’t just moan—think of the many creative, if somewhat gross, ways we’ve expressed this time-old malady. Stay curious, keep learning, and always have bone-strong resilience like our furry friends.
☮️ Penny Pastangle
