Etymology of "dog-tired"

Posted by ESC on October 12, 2000

In Reply to: Etymology of "dog-tired" posted by Eric Weis on October 12, 2000

: I have been searching various on-line dictionaries for the derivation of
: this phrase. It is amazing that such a commonly understood phrase is
: not to be found in any reference I can think of.

: What is the background of this phrase? Is there a reason it is not widely
: found in dictionaries?

I'll check in my references. The image "dog-tired" conjures up for is that of a hunting dog that is falling-down exhausted and panting after a run in the woods.