Bird-dog is a term that is often used in various contexts, such as business, politics, and sports. It is a term that has been around for many years, and its meaning has evolved over time. In this article, we will explore the different definitions and meanings of bird-dog, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of its use in sentences.
Definitions
The term bird-dog has several definitions, depending on the context in which it is used. In general, bird-dog means to search for something or someone with great diligence or to follow someone closely to monitor their activities. In the business world, bird-dog refers to a salesperson who finds potential customers for a company and receives a commission for each successful sale. In politics, bird-dogging refers to the practice of following a political candidate and asking them tough questions to hold them accountable for their actions.
Origin
The origin of the term bird-dog is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The term likely comes from the hunting practice of using dogs to locate and retrieve birds. The term bird-dogging in politics is believed to have originated in the 1970s during the anti-war movement when activists would follow political candidates to hold them accountable for their positions on the war.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, bird-dog means “to watch closely or follow persistently.” Oxford English Dictionary defines bird-dog as “to seek out or follow up relentlessly.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines bird-dog as “to follow someone closely in order to watch them or find out what they are doing.”
Associations
Bird-dog is often associated with salespeople, hunters, and political activists. In the business world, bird-dogging is a common practice among salespeople who are paid to find potential customers for a company. In the hunting world, bird-dogs are used to locate and retrieve birds. In politics, bird-dogging is a tactic used by activists to hold politicians accountable for their actions and positions.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of bird-dog include pursue, track, trail, follow, monitor, and watch.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of bird-dog include ignore, neglect, overlook, and disregard.
The same root words
The term bird-dog is a compound word that combines the words bird and dog. Both words have their roots in Old English, with bird coming from the word “brid” and dog coming from the word “docga.”
Example Sentences
- The salesperson was able to bird-dog several potential customers for the company.
- The hunter used his bird-dog to locate and retrieve the birds he had shot.
- The political activist was able to bird-dog the candidate and hold them accountable for their position on the issue.
- The private investigator was hired to bird-dog the suspect and gather evidence against them.
- The journalist decided to bird-dog the story and uncover the truth behind the scandal.