- bird dog
- 1. Americana small gambler who follows the betting pattern of heavy gamblersLiterally, the animal that retrieves the quarry brought down by its master. In this instance, the master is likely to be party to criminal interference with the runners.2. Americanan unsuspected accomplice to a criminalAgain from collecting the carcass on another's behalf:Your bird dog, the State Senator. (Chandler, 1939, describing such a relationship)To bird-dog is so to act:So he would be bird-dogging occasionally and bring you things? (Colodny and Gettlin, 1991 — a naval Yeoman stole secret documents and passed them to his superior)3. Americana police detectiveHoping to find the quarry and bring it in:The man can't draw his gun without losing a few toes, but he's one hell of a bird-dog. (Clancy, 1991)
How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. R. W. Holder. 2014.