Canine conundrum

[boatman]

We used to hear the phrase 'running dogs' (usually of imperialist capitalist reactionaries) quite a lot? Why are running dogs considered an insult?

[siggy]

It comes from the Chinese zŏugŏu (zŏu = to run, gŏu = dog) and it means that someone follows political doctrine in a slavish way. Hence it comes into English as 'running dog'.

[sgs]

There's more about canine phrases in English at article 1533

[pdn2p]

In 1982 a college history professor told our class that capitalists or imperialists were alleged to pursue profits and concessions just as male dogs run after a bitch in heat. There's the insult.