Q
Why do we say 'working like a dog' when dogs lie around all day?
A
Expert Answer
The phrase originally referred to working dogs (sheepdogs, sled dogs, hunting dogs) that work hard. Companion dogs' leisurely lifestyle is a modern development. The idiom preserves historical canine roles.
Key Insight
The phrase originally referred to working dogs (sheepdogs, sled dogs, hunting dogs) that work hard.
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