underdogn.
/ˈʌndədɒɡ/, U.S. /ˈəndərˌdɔɡ/, /ˈəndərˌdɑɡ/ Originally U.S.
The beaten dog in a fight; figurative the party overcome or worsted in a contest; one who is in a state of inferiority or subjection.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [noun] > state of being at a disadvantage > one who is
bottom dog1847
underdog1887
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.
Derivatives
ˈunderdogger n. one who supports the underdog in a contest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporter or encourager > one who takes someone's part > specifically of underdog
underdogger1970
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.
underˈdoggery n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporting or encouraging > taking someone's part > specifically of the underdog
underdoggery1938
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.
1981 London Rev. Bks. 2 July 24/3 He bore a grudge for not getting the Nobel prize... Reviews..have made much of O'Hara's under~doggery.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1887