Would you like to describe that something (or someone) is feeling under the weather, sicker than usual, or incredibly ill? The expression 'sick as a dog' is a common phrase in the English language that can be used to say this. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and proper use of the saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'sick as a dog' is a common figurative saying in the English language, though it has been translated to some others including German.
When someone is 'sick as a dog' the expression is used to imply that someone is very sick, though it does not necessarily imply the cause.
The phrase implies that someone is usually temporarily debilitated from their illness, and it is figuratively compared to a sick animal.
Most uses of the phrase 'sick as a dog' are within informal speech or social media, though the phrase is sometimes used seriously due to its common appearance.
Context for the saying can be found from the rest of the conversation.
The phrase can be used as a statement, or as a response when asked how someone is doing. The phrase can also be used as a self-reference.
While not common, the phrase can also be used as the opposite, or to say that someone is 'not sick as a dog' or healthier than others think that they are.
Example Usage
“If you want to know how last night's date went, it was pretty bad. I had seafood at the restaurant and instead of a great night I just went home sick as a dog.”
“I can't come into work next week. I'm sick as a dog, and the doctor said I have to stay home because of this new thing called COVID-nineteen. I don't know, maybe I'll pop into work for five minutes. What's the worst that could happen?”
“If you want to get sick as a dog, try the restaurant down the street. If you actually want to have a good date, then try going literally anywhere else.”
“If you don't believe me, eating food that you found somewhere on the floor is going to make you sick as a dog. It doesn't matter if it's been there for less than a few seconds. You'll still get sick.”
Origin
According to online language resources, the phrase 'sick as a dog' can already be found as a commonly written phrase from the 1700s.
While spelling of the term varied before the standardization of the language, 'sick as a dogge' would evolve to 'sick as a dog' and continue to be a common figurative comparison in English.
Modern use of the phrase would continue as a speaking term and reference, and most dictionaries from the 1900s record the expression.
When someone is 'sick as a dog' then the phrase still implies that they are very ill, either as a self-reference or a reference to someone else.
Phrases Similar to Sick as a Dog
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Phrases Opposite to Sick as a Dog
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What is the Correct Saying?
- [Someone is] sick as a dog
Ways People May Say Sick as a Dog Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can misunderstand or misuse the phrase 'sick as a dog', most commonly when the phrase is heard or read by someone who has no prior context for the meaning of the expression.
The saying can also be used in the wrong way as 'sick as a dogs', whereas 'sick as dogs' would signify that the speaker means more than one person.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Sick as a Dog
The phrase 'sick as a dog' can be used to refer to someone who is very ill, either as a direct reference or a reference to someone.
When someone is 'sick as a dog' it implies very sick, though does not specify the illness and instead prompts the person to ask.
A speaker can use 'sick as dogs' to refer to more than one person.
The phrase can also be used in the negative form as 'not sick as a dog' to imply that someone is healthier than perceived.