Introduction
Urban Dictionary is a crowdsourced online dictionary focused on slang words, phrases, and meanings. Launched in 1999, it allows users to define the latest slang terms and phrases as well as submit examples of how words are used in everyday language. With over 8 million definitions, Urban Dictionary has become one of the largest resources documenting ever-evolving slang and cultural phrases.[1]
As an open platform, the accuracy and reliability of Urban Dictionary’s crowdsourced definitions vary greatly. While some entries provide insightful cultural explanations, others may consist of exaggerations, inside jokes or vulgar content. Nonetheless, Urban Dictionary has had a significant influence on documenting and shaping slang and cultural meanings over the past two decades.
Origin and Meaning of the Phrase
The phrase “got that dog in him” first emerged on Urban Dictionary in October 2021, where it was defined as meaning “when a player goes crazy in a sport.” According to the Urban Dictionary entry, it refers to when a player is performing at an exceptionally high level during a season.
The phrase is generally used in reference to athletes who display tenacity, determination, and a relentless competitive drive. As the Urban Dictionary definition states, “got that dog in him” suggests the player has an almost animalistic hunger to compete and win. It evokes the image of an aggressive, ferocious dog relentlessly chasing after its target.
Though the exact origins are unclear, the phrase seemed to gain popularity on sports Twitter before making its way to Urban Dictionary. It became a popular way for fans and commentators to praise players who were demonstrating grit, hustle, and intense effort during games and matches. The Urban Dictionary entry helped to cement the definition and spread awareness of the phrase to a wider audience.
Popularity and Usage
The phrase “got that dog in him” has become quite widespread and popular on the internet and in internet culture over the past few years. According to Urban Dictionary, the earliest definition submitted for the phrase was in 2017 (source). However, it really started seeing increased usage in the early 2020s, becoming a viral meme and widely spread catchphrase.
As of November 2022, the top Urban Dictionary definition for “got that dog in him” has over 2,800 upvotes, indicating a high level of popularity and familiarity with the phrase among Urban Dictionary users (source). There are also over 100 user-submitted definitions for the phrase on the site, showing how it has permeated internet slang and culture.
On platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and Twitter, there are thousands of examples of people using the phrase in memes, jokes, and comments. Often it is used humorously to describe someone displaying intense passion, aggression, or determination in a particular situation (source). The viral nature of the phrase across internet communities and forums demonstrates its widespread familiarity and usage as a piece of internet slang.
Interpretations and Connotations
The phrase “got that dog in him” has taken on various shades of meaning and implied connotations. At its core, it refers to having an intense competitive spirit, unwavering determination, and the ability to perform under pressure, similar to the tenacity exhibited by dogs (Got That Dog In Him). However, the phrase also carries suggestions of aggression, intimidation, and even violence.
In sports contexts, saying someone “has that dog in him” can denote they have the grit, hustle, and “killer instinct” needed to prevail against tough opponents. It paints them as fierce competitors who play with maximum intensity. However, the phrase risks promoting harmful win-at-all-costs mentalities in athletes (Dog in him).
More broadly, the phrase implies someone who is bold, unyielding, and willing to be confrontational. It can have a tone of grudging respect for their relentless drive. However, it can also imply excess aggression and normalization of violent attitudes, depending on the context.
Criticism and Controversy
The phrase “got that dog in him” has received some criticism and controversy, particularly around accusations of promoting toxic masculinity. Some argue that equating desirable masculine traits with having a “dog” inside promotes aggression, intensity, and rugged individualism in male athletes (Source 1). The phrase reduces complex human motivations down to animalistic instincts, which some find dehumanizing. Additionally, the celebratory tone around “having that dog” is seen as promoting overly masculine behavior in sports.
There’s also criticism that the phrase is racially insensitive, as it originated from mostly white sports commentators describing black athletes, drawing comparisons to dogs that some find problematic (Source 2). Some argue the phrase has roots in racist tropes around black men having animalistic traits. However, others counter that the phrase is not intended maliciously and has evolved beyond any racial connotations.
In summary, while a seemingly benign sports catchphrase, “got that dog in him” has faced backlash around promoting toxicity and racial insensitivity. Defenders argue the phrase intends to compliment tenacity and grit, not promote negative behaviors or ideas. The debate continues around the phrase’s cultural implications and whether its popular usage should face more scrutiny.
Related Slang Terms
“Got that dog in him” belongs to a category of slang phrases and idioms used to describe someone’s determination, grit, killer instinct or clutch gene. Some other similar slang terms include:
Mamba mentality – Referring to NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s relentless competitive drive and work ethic. Used to describe athletes who have a relentless will to win.
Dawg – Having tenacity and an aggressive hustle. Sometimes used together with “got that” as in “he got that dawg in him.”
Beast mode – An athlete dominating competition through sheer talent and determination. Made popular by NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.
While the phrases have slightly different connotations, they all speak to having an intense competitive spirit and the ability to perform in the clutch. “Got that dog in him” stands out with its use of “dog” to signify qualities like loyalty, toughness and not backing down when challenged.
Usage in Pop Culture
The phrase “got that dog in him” has become popular in pop culture, especially in sports media and discussions. It is often used to describe athletes who play with grit, determination, aggressiveness and a competitive spirit.
In the NBA, analysts like Skip Bayless frequently use this phrase to praise players like Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat for their intensity and will to win (Source 1). Likewise in the NFL, Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore used this phrase to describe his rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent’s mentality and approach (Source 2).
On social media, fans and analysts often debate which players in various sports “got that dog in them” based on their observed effort and competitive drive on the court/field. Memes also frequently use images of actual dogs to jokingly illustrate this concept.
In music, rappers refer to “that dog” as a symbol of their hunger, aggression and determination in their lyrics. For example, artists like DMX were known for having that “dog” mentality. In movies and TV shows, characters who exhibit relentless drive are sometimes described as having “that dog in them.”
Memes and Virality
The phrase “Got that dog in him” has become widely popular in internet memes and viral content. One of the most well-known memes features an X-ray image of a dog skeleton overlaid with the text “When I say I got that dog in me this is what I mean” (Source). This meme pokes fun at how literally the phrase can be interpreted.
Other popular memes play off the “dog in him” concept in a literal sense, like images of dogs photoshopped inside of people. On TikTok, many users have made videos showing their pets and using the phrase in the captions (Source). The virality of these memes and videos has greatly contributed to the mainstream popularity of the slang phrase.
The phrase is also often used in motivational quote memes and images, presenting “that dog in him” as a desirable toughness, determination, or work ethic. Meme generators allow people to easily create their own versions of these memes.
Overall, the wide use of “got that dog in him” in viral and humorous online content has cemented its place in internet slang and culture.
Linguistic Analysis
The phrase “got that dog in him” reveals several interesting aspects of language and culture. At its core, it relies on metaphor, comparing someone’s determination or work ethic to the energetic, unwavering nature of a dog. This reveals how we often use animal metaphors to describe human traits (source).
The phrase is an example of slang, where words take on new or adapted meanings, allowing more creativity and informality in language. “Dog” in this context means persistence, not an actual canine. Slang also helps identify cultural groups and generations, as this phrase became popular among younger internet users (source).
Linguistically, the phrase relies on metonymy, using “dog” to represent a quality associated with dogs. It’s an example of innovative wordplay and metaphor within online vernacular English. The viral popularity of the phrase also demonstrates how internet culture can rapidly spread new slang and catchphrases.
Conclusion
In summary, the phrase “got that dog in him” has become a popular slang term used online and in pop culture to describe someone displaying savage, feral, or animalistic behavior. While it originated in hip hop and Black culture, it has spread more widely through memes and viral videos. The phrase draws on stereotypes equating Black men with aggressive, hypermasculine dogs or wolves. This has opened it to criticism for promoting harmful racial stereotypes. However, others view the phrase as a playful joke that highlights desirable swagger and confidence. Regardless of interpretation, “got that dog in him” has become deeply embedded in internet culture and online vernacular. Looking ahead, the phrase seems likely to evolve further as internet memes tend to shift rapidly. But for now, it encapsulates a particular cultural moment and fascination with viral catchphrases.