Are you offended by the phrase, "I Don't Have a Dog in the Fight"

1. 85

   Billrrrrposted 10 years ago

   Are you offended by the phrase, "I Don't Have a Dog in the Fight"
   
   As a dog lover, I get angry every time I hear it.  I only have 539 characters left to explain why so, instead of trying to cram my reason in, I will expand it into a hub......please look for it and like it, if you also get mad when you hear people saying it.

   replyreport
2. 61

   MickSposted 10 years ago

   Not but the words, but by the sentiment that seems to be advocating the use of dogs for fighting for 'sport'.

   replyreport
   1. 61

      MickSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, that, of course, should be - Not by the words...

      replyreport
   2. 85

      Billrrrrposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You are right MickS.  It is a tacit promotion and tolerance of dog fighting.

      replyreport
3. 88

   Bill Yovinoposted 10 years ago

   To quote a classic movie: "Lighten up Francis".  It's just an expression. I would venture to guess that the percentage of people who use that term and also advocate dog on dog violence is close to zero.
   
   Do you think of salt when someone mentions salary?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      MickSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      yes, I do think of the root of the word.

      replyreport
   2. 85

      Billrrrrposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes Bill it is just a word.  Words have great power for good or bad.  Especially when written.  The pen is mightier than the sword.

      replyreport
4. 72

   dahoglundposted 10 years ago

   It is an old saying that has no relationship to the people involved fighting dogs. It merely means that they don't have anything at stake. another one is " I don't have a horse in that race" You don't have to race horses to use it.

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Billrrrrposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The phrase certainly does refer to dog fighting and as such it should be dis-used.  In my hub I advocate using "I don't have a horse in the race" instead of the dog phrase.  The race invokes the Triple Crown and everyone loves that.

      replyreport
5. 80

   junksellerposted 10 years ago

   We've got all sorts of dog phrases: top dog, underdog, dogfight (for planes), that dog won't hunt, going to the dogs, doggerel, my dogs are killing me...
   
   There's been a close relationship to dogs and humans for a very long time. Yes, some of that has included brutal dog fighting, it has also included companionship and hunting, and of course, lots of dogs fight naturally. I'm not really convinced that any of these phrases are specifically or only tied to the brutal dog-fighting you are referring to. It could just as easily have come from the hunting culture (e.g two dogs competing over a quarry), or from watching a couple of local mongrels fight over a bone.
   
   Not that I have any reason to defend the phrase. I've never said it myself, or even thought of saying it, and we have perfectly acceptable alternatives. "No skin in the game," for example, but heck, for all I know, that might offend some one as well.

   replyreport
6. 61

   duffsmomposted 10 years ago

   I'm with Bill, it is just an expression.  I am a dog lover. I think dogs are the most wonderful creatures and I cannot bear the idea of one being mistreated or hurt.
   
   But in this case, I think it is just an expression and wouldn't worry about it.

   replyreport
7. 68

   onegoodwomanposted 10 years ago

   No,  it is a 'down home' expression........used mostly to convey the idea, that one has no vested interest in the outcome of a particular situation.    It has nothing at all to do with fighting dogs for sport, which I do, take issue with.   It has nothing to do with violent acts, which I also take issue with.
   
   Many times, people will say, " fair to middlin", when asked how they are doing.......they have no idea, that this  is a farming term, where it comes from OR what it actually means..............and, yes, there is  reason.  One possiblity is given below.
   
   
   'Middling' was and is a term used by farmers to describe the quality of farm produce, especially sheep. There were several loosely defined grades of produce: 'good', 'fair, 'middling', 'ordinary' and 'poor'.
   
   Honestly, I am OFFENDED by how easily people are offened, these days.
   
   My Grandpa was so wise, he once said to  me,   " if you can live with it, I can live by it."

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Billrrrrposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good, well reasoned answer.  But I do feel that the phrase has everything to do with dog fighting and I don't like it.  We have free speech and can say pretty much anything we want, but we don't have to sink down to the LCD.  We can do better.

      replyreport