What I found disheartening is that “son of a b****” originated as a euphemism for “dog”, which was itself a euphemism for “someone who has sex like a dog”, i.e. buggery. So it’s just homophobia with embarrassed euphemism two layers deep.
We used to have a lovely British woman in my book group who was a dog breeder, and even though we were mature women of a certain age, we’d dissolve into giggles whenever she would say, “Come see my newest little bitch!”
The problem arises from “son of a b**ch” being most often used for non-canines. Some non-canines consider that to be offensive. Thin-skinned s-o-bs, ya know?
John W. Vinson Premium Member about 4 years ago
What I found disheartening is that “son of a b****” originated as a euphemism for “dog”, which was itself a euphemism for “someone who has sex like a dog”, i.e. buggery. So it’s just homophobia with embarrassed euphemism two layers deep.
Melki Premium Member about 4 years ago
We used to have a lovely British woman in my book group who was a dog breeder, and even though we were mature women of a certain age, we’d dissolve into giggles whenever she would say, “Come see my newest little bitch!”
Ermine Notyours about 4 years ago
One of Jim Henson’s last television appearances was when he had Rolf the dog say “Son of a bitch!” on the Arsenio Hall Show.
craigwestlake about 4 years ago
And slurred speech has caused many Beech trees to become Weeping Willows…
Sisyphos about 4 years ago
The problem arises from “son of a b**ch” being most often used for non-canines. Some non-canines consider that to be offensive. Thin-skinned s-o-bs, ya know?
BWR about 4 years ago
Cerberus: From ‘Kerberos’, or ‘spotted’. Who knew the Lord of the Underworld had named his dog ‘Spot’?