Dictionary

yellow dog en · NOUN

Etymology

Carolina dogs were called yellow dogs because many had yellow coats. The fact that many mongrel dogs also had yellow coats lead to the term's application to any worthless item or person. For the etymology of the term Yellow Dog Democrat, see that entry.

Meanings

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see yellow, dog.
2. (Southern-US, US, especially) A Carolina dog.
3. (US, informal) An item or person of low value.
   • A respectable class of candidates for minor state offices, and for state senate and assembly, at this moment desire to run on the ticket with Roosevelt. As soon as there is a third ticket in the field no one but a yellow dog will consent to run on Platt's ticket. 1897, John Jay Chapman, editor, The Political nursery, volumes 1:10 - 4:10:
   • If I had a woman like that I'd trade her off for a yellow dog and then shoot the dog. 1877, Charles White with Andrew J. Leavitt, The coming man: an Ethiopian sketch in two scenes, page 5:
4. (US, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, uncommon) Ellipsis of Yellow Dog Democrat.
   alt of Yellow Dog Democrat
   • What led Rick Perry to pronounce the Yellow Dogs dead? 2011, William Earl Maxwell, Ernest Crain, Adolfo Santos, Texas Politics Today: 2011-2012 Edition, page 125:

Forms

Relateds

yellow dog contract · Yellow Dog Democrat · yellow dog fund