At Bay

Posted by TheFallen on February 15, 2003

In Reply to: At Bay posted by S. on February 15, 2003

: Does any one know the origin and definition of the phrase "at bay"? Thanks in advance for any help.

Among several other meanings, the word "bay" is also used to describe a deep barking of dogs, and especially hounds. "At bay" means prevented from advancing or escaping, or kept at distance. It's an old term from the world of hunting - when a dangerous quarry, like a wild boar for example, was finally cornered by a pack of hounds, it would be surrounded and the hounds would all start barking excitedly and aggressively, keeping the unfortunate animal at bay. I'd bet that similar canine behaviour is shown today whenever a fox is forced to go to earth, or a raccoon is treed.

• At Bay James Briggs 02/15/03
  • At Bay - No Way? TheFallen 02/15/03