Dawg

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Noun 1.1.1 See also 1.2 Usage notes

English

Noun

dawg

1. Phonetic spelling of a regional pronunciation of dog

   That dawg won't hunt.

2. (slang) Used to address a close male friend.

   What's up, dawg?

See also

• hound dawg (1)
• dude (2)
• Wikipedia article on the cot-caught merger in various English dialects

Usage notes

Using this spelling of dog emphasizes dialect and should only be done if this is explicitly intended. Every example above could also be written with dog, de-emphasizing dialect.

The particular use of dog as a form of address or interjection may derive from AAVE. The diphthongization indicated by the spelling is widespread, particularly in the American South and is not unique to dog. For example, the University of Arkansas razorbacks are often affectionately referred to as Hawgs in print.