Going to see a man about a dog

Posted by Patrick on August 05, 2003

I've written previously about some of my grandfather's expressions.

It also occurs to me that when I used to visit my grandparents as a child, my grandmother and grandfather had different ways of referring to going to the toilet. He would say "I'm going to see a man about a dog" and she would say "I need to spend a penny". I can guess the origins of her expression but am less clear on the origins of his. Any ideas?

Could both be classified as euphemisms? Are there many similar expressions?

• Going to see a man about a dog ESC 05/August/03
  • Going to see a man about a dog James Briggs 05/August/03
    • Going to see a man about a horse ESC 05/August/03
      • Going to see a man about a horse OR a dog. David Jose 18/August/03
      • Spending a penny Lewis 07/August/03