that dog won’t hunt
that dog won’t hunt (idiomatic allusion)
/ðæt dɔɡ woʊnt hʌnt/
Variants
- that dog don’t hunt
- that hound won’t hunt
Meanings
- Ineffective: An idea, plan, or method is not going to work or be successful.
- Unacceptable: A proposal or excuse is not believable or satisfactory.
- Useless: Something is inadequate for its intended purpose.
Example Sentences
- That dog won’t hunt; we need a more realistic approach to the budget crisis.
- Your excuse for being late sounds weak, and frankly, that dog won’t hunt with me.
- We tried using the old software to solve the new problem, but that dog won’t hunt
- Your proposal to cut corners on the project budget? That dog don’t hunt, it will only lead to more problems later.
- I explained the situation to the boss, but he said that hound won’t hunt, and I still have to finish the report on time.
Origin and History
Precursor: “That Cock Won’t Fight” (British, 1789)
Before the dog idiom existed, a similar metaphor was used in Britain. In The Loiterer humor magazine on 5 September 1789, the line reads: “…that cock won’t fight.” This metaphor—referring to a rooster that refuses to fight—was carried to America, appearing in Davy Crockett’s pseudo-autobiography of 1836, where someone says: “that cock wouldn’t fight.”
Hunting-Dog Metaphor (Most Accepted)
In rural Southern U.S. life, hunting dogs were valuable only if they hunted raccoons, foxes, etc. A dog that refuses to chase prey would be worthless. Therefore, saying a plan or excuse “won’t hunt” metaphorically meant it would fail. This interpretation is widely accepted as the most credible source of the idiom.
Southern U.S. Political and Folksy Usage
The phrase became especially associated with Texas and the broader American South. Political leaders, including Lyndon Johnson (a Texan), reportedly used it to describe ideas or plans that wouldn’t sell. It later came into broader usage via presidents and public figures like Bill Clinton and John Kerry, reinforcing its folksy, Southern flavor.
Cock-Fighting Pre-Version
As noted, the British phrase “that cock won’t fight” inspired American speakers to adapt the idea into a hunting-dog context. The switch from cock-fighting to dog-hunting reflects a cultural shift from cock-pits to frontier hunting scenes.
Alternative or Creative Speculation
Some imaginative or lesser-known ideas have also been circulated:
Myth: Red-Herring Story – Some may speculate it arose like a “red herring” metaphor: a scent trail set to fool a hunting dog into thinking prey is elsewhere. However, mainstream scholars find no evidence for this.
Moral Lesson or Work Ethic Version – Another invented theory imagines the phrase taught children: “If you’re lazy like a dog that doesn’t hunt, your plan won’t work.” This echoes classical fables but lacks historical documentation.
Country of Origin
The phrase first appeared in the United States, particularly in the American South and likely in Texas or surrounding states. The hunting-dog metaphor seems rooted in southern U.S. speech.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest confirmed printed appearance of the exact phrase “that dog won’t hunt” is from 15 August 1843, in a Washington, D.C. newspaper letter dated 9 August 1843, talking about the upcoming 1844 U.S. presidential election.
In that letter the writer states: “But that dog won’t hunt.”
Synonyms
- that won’t fly
- that’s not going to work
- that won’t cut it
- that won’t wash
- that’s a nonstarter
- that idea has no legs
- that’s not feasible
- it won’t work
Similar Idioms
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