ˈunderdog orig. U.S.
[under-1 5 b; cf. top-dog s.v. top n.1 34.]
The beaten dog in a fight; fig. the party overcome or worsted in a contest; one who is in a state of inferiority or subjection.
| 1887 Daily Tel. 30 Apr. 3/3 There is an indefinable expression in his face and figure of having been vanquished, of having succumbed, of having been ‘under-dog’ as the saying is. 1892 Daily Chron. 23 June 5/2 The mission of the Democratic party is to fight for the under-dog. |
Hence ˈunderdogger, one who supports the underdog in a contest; underˈdoggery.
| 1938 H. Belloc in Tablet 1 Jan. 8/1 Anyhow, the difficulty and injustice of under-doggery is softened in all sorts of ways by the virtues of charity and humility. 1969 D. Thomson Aims of Hist. 68 It was no doubt natural, perhaps inevitable, that the approach of early enthusiasts for economic history should be strongly tinged with under-doggery. 1970 N.Y. Times 17 Aug. 26/4 ‘We under⁓doggers have to try harder,’ he [sc. Governor Rockefeller] explained to reporters. 1977 Time 3 Oct. 54 After three crushing defeats, Australia's loyal underdoggers were busy recalling all the old familiar whiny excuses. 1978 Times 2 Sept. 7 The angel with the perfect smell, the innocent, the do-gooder, the outsider, the perfect stranger. I was a great underdogger. 1981 London Rev. Bks. 2–15 July 24/3 He bore a grudge for not getting the Nobel prize... Reviews..have made much of O'Hara's under⁓doggery. |