ˌdog-in-the-ˈmanger
A churlish person who will neither use something himself nor let another use it; in allusion to the fable of the dog that stationed himself in a manger and would not let the ox or horse eat the hay. Also attrib.
| [1564 W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 9 Like vnto cruell Dogges liyng in a Maunger, neither eatyng the Haye theim selues ne sufferyng the Horse to feed thereof hymself.] 1573 G. Harvey Letter-book (Camden) 114 And as for the Syr Lowte That playdst inne and owte; A dogg in y⊇ maunger, A very ranke raunger. 1836 Marryat Japhet lxxii. (Farmer), Why, what a dog in the manger you must be—you can't marry them both. 1842 Thackeray Miss Lërve Wks. 1886 XXIII. 285 That dog-in-the-manger jealousy which is common to love. 1890 Times 17 Sept. 7/5 A dog-in-the-manger policy is always unworthy of a nation. |
Hence (nonce-wds.) ˌdog-in-the-ˈmangerish, -ˈmangery adjs.; ˌdog-in-the-ˈmangerism.
| 1883 C. J. Wills Land of Lion & Sun 134 He was ill-mannered and dog-in-the-mangery. 1889 Spectator 28 Sept., To satisfy her dog-in-the-mangerish jealousy. 1894 Sat. Rev. 3 Mar. 234 A mere act of official dog-in-the-mangerism. |