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A long time ago

Posted by Henry on October 13, 2004

In Reply to: 'mean as a junkyard dog' posted by David FG on October 13, 2004

: : : : This may be simply a US expression, but it describes anyone who is just a mean son-of-a-gun. (being PC here) The comparison with the junkyard dog refers to the guard dogs used to patrol wrecked auto parts lots where the losses to midnight thievery would be great without the dogs presence. They are usually Dobermans or German Shepards, and are bred and trained to be rather intimidating and downright dangerous.
: : : : Is this used elsewhere in the English speaking world?

: : : My old friend wrote this song years ago and mentioned your 'junkyard dog.'

: : : Leroy Brown by Jim Croce

: : : Well the South side of Chicago
: : : Is the baddest part of town
: : : And if you go down there
: : : You better just beware
: : : Of a man named Leroy Brown

: : : Now Leroy more than trouble
: : : You see he stand 'bout six foot four
: : : All the downtown ladies call him "Treetop Lover"
: : : All the mens just call him "Sir"

: : : And it's bad, bad Leroy Brown
: : : The baddest man in the whole damn town
: : : Badder than old King Kong
: : : And meaner than a junkyard dog

: : : Now Leroy he a gambler
: : : And he like his fancy clothes
: : : And he like to wave his diamond rings
: : : In front of everybody's nose
: : : He got a custom Continental
: : : He got an Eldorado too
: : : He got a 32 gun in his pocket for fun
: : : He got a razor in his shoe

: : : And it's bad, bad Leroy Brown
: : : The baddest man in the whole damn town
: : : Badder than old King Kong
: : : And meaner than a junkyard dog

: : : Well Friday bout a week ago
: : : Leroy shootin' dice
: : : And at the edge of the bar
: : : Sat a girl named Doris
: : : And ooh that girl looked nice
: : : Well he cast his eyes upon her
: : : And the trouble soon began
: : : And Leroy Brown learned a lesson
: : : 'Bout messin' with the wife of a jealous man

: : : And it's bad, bad Leroy Brown
: : : The baddest man in the whole damned town
: : : Badder than old King Kong
: : : And meaner than a junkyard dog,

: : : Well the two men took to fightin'
: : : And when they pulled them from the floor
: : : Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle
: : : With a couple of pieces gone

: : : And it's bad, bad Leroy Brown
: : : The baddest man in the whole damn town
: : : Badder than old King Kong
: : : And meaner than a junkyard dog

: : I love that song. As soon as Ward mentioned this line, it was this Jim Croce song that sprang to mind.

:
: I agree, it is known in the UK and Ireland, but solely because of that song. I doubt that anyone would actually use it in natural speech.

: DFG

I was fortunate to see Jim Croce's only English concert and remember it to this day. A terrific writer and performer! What a great privilege to have known him, SR.
I don't think the phrase is common in England. We do have an interesting phrase about dogs, 'as fit as a butcher's dog'.

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