Talk:Dogface (military)

Latest comment: 12 years ago by 68.183.198.140 in topic Needs Word Origin

Needs Word Origin edit

A great improvement to this article would be a further exploration of its origin. While a precise origin might be impossible (as with many folk terms) some listings of early usages would be helpful.

rewinn (talk) 19:34, 16 May 2009 (UTC)Reply

It is an insult associated with warriors. Here's some early usage:

"In answer to him spoke lord Agamemnon: "Do not thus, mighty though you are, godlike Achilles, seek to deceive me with your wit…"

"Glaring from beneath his brows spoke to him swift-footed Achilles: "…But you, shameless one, we followed, so that you might rejoice, seeking to win recompense for Menelaus and for yourself, dog-face, from the Trojans."

              from the Iliad by Homer translated by Murray (Loeb Classical Library) London 1924
              note: there are other examples of the usage in the Iliad
              68.183.198.140 (talk) 05:47, 1 September 2011 (UTC)Carl NoeReply