Jan 13, 2023 13:49
1 yr ago
71 viewers *
English term

God dog

English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Unfortunately, I cannot provide much context. It is an exclamation from an American film I have been translating. The protagonist is pleasantly surprised by what the other person is saying and he replies: "Well, God dog!"

I am an Italian native speaker. Of course, I know that if the expression is translated in a literal way in my language, the result is a blasphemy.
I have never encountered this expression and I cannot find information on the Internet on this matter. So, I was wondering if a native speaker could please explain the meaning of this exclamation.

Thank you very much.

Discussion

AllegroTrans Jan 13, 2023:
Without context we are probably wasting our time
Yvonne Gallagher Jan 13, 2023:
@ @ Sheri, Sorry. Reading on my phone. Have edited my comment
I think it unlikely that "dog" is substituted for "damn" though more likely to say "shucks" or some mild expletive though I'd have thought "damn" wss pretty mild by now?
I was surprised at the amount of expletives used in the Golden Globes the other night. Lots of f words Surprising for live US TV I thought
Martina Abrami (asker) Jan 13, 2023:
@Boris Shapiro I cannot disclose the name of the film since it is not out yet.
Sheri P Jan 13, 2023:
@Yvonne In my comment, I actually said the speaker has *no* problem saying the word “God”. :-)
Martina Abrami (asker) Jan 13, 2023:
@Boris Shapiro I cannot disclose the name of the film since it is not out yet.
AllegroTrans Jan 13, 2023:
Asker What did the other person say first? I would have thought that is essential context here
Boris Shapiro Jan 13, 2023:
The name of the movie and the actual timing might help, too. For what it's worth, it might have been 'hot dog!' or something.
Yvonne Gallagher Jan 13, 2023:
@ Sheri yes, it's possible. However, some people (including yours truly) also immediately say "Dog" after saying "God" to indicate they are atheists or mean nothing by the word God, i.e. not believers. Usually done in a jokey way implying lowercase god=dog. Personally, I would much prefer my dogs to any god, though I worship neither (:-
We all use expressions with God in them all the time as they are ubiquitous. But I think no one gets upset if someone sustitutes "dog"
Sheri P Jan 13, 2023:
“Dog” is sometimes used as a substitute for the word “God,” as in the expression “oh my dog.” But that’s not the case here. Here, the speaker has no problem saying the word “God.”
Mattia Cuko Jan 13, 2023:
Didn't see your discussion entry .

Responses

+1
11 mins
Selected

Well, god damn!

I’m guessing the speaker is substituting the word “dog” for “damn” in order to avoid using a curse word.
Peer comment(s):

agree philgoddard : Like gosh darn, or dagnabbit.
3 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I think yours is the most reasonable answer. Thank you very much."
+1
21 mins

a joke expression

OMG Oh my God Some people substitute DOG as it is God spelled backwords. Could be seen as blasphemous by believers but not really serious

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=God dog


https://inkyapparelcreations.com/collections/god-dog


Also a song but not relevent here I think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf5GmhffA48

Peer comment(s):

agree eski : Yep. :)
47 mins
Many thanks:-)
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3 hrs

great!/excellent!/congratulations!/well done!

We don't really have enough context but these are possibilities
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+1
16 mins

god dog

God dog
A by word that is used as an expression of astonishment etc. and is offensive to bible thumpers and is often used because dog is God spelled backward.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=God dog



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Note added at 22 ore (2023-01-14 12:44:46 GMT)
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75%*
Peer comment(s):

agree eski : Good research, Mattia; sounds right to me. :)
51 mins
Thank you Eski
neutral philgoddard : I'm not sure about this. I've never come across this, and Urban Dictionary isn't reliable because anyone can post an entry on it.
3 hrs
neutral writeaway : Read the comments in the discussion box. 100% cl is a tad OTT
10 hrs
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