dog and bone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “dog and bone” mean?
A telephone (chiefly British English, Cockney rhyming slang).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A telephone (chiefly British English, Cockney rhyming slang).
A means of vocal communication over distance; the device or the act of telephoning someone. Sometimes used to refer to a long or tedious phone conversation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This term is almost exclusively British. It is very rarely used or understood in American English.
Connotations
In the UK, it conveys a casual, sometimes humorous or working-class/London feel. In the US, if used at all, it would be seen as a quirky Britishism.
Frequency
Low in general, but higher in specific UK contexts (e.g., London, media aiming for a 'cheeky' tone). Virtually zero in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “dog and bone” in a Sentence
to be on the dog and boneto give [someone] a dogto have a dog and bone with [someone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog and bone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll dog you later with the details.
- He was dogging his mate all afternoon.
American English
- Not used.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- Not typically used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely, except in very informal internal UK communications to add levity.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Casual UK speech, often among friends or family, particularly in England.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog and bone”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it in American contexts without explanation.
- Saying 'dog with bone' or 'dog's bone' (the fixed phrase is 'dog *and* bone').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal slang, specifically Cockney rhyming slang from London.
They can, but it will likely be misunderstood or seen as an affectation. It is not part of American vernacular.
You use it in place of 'phone' or 'call'. For example: 'Give me a dog when you arrive.' or 'He's on the dog.'
No, it can refer to any telephone, including mobiles, though it originated in the era of landlines.
A telephone (chiefly British English, Cockney rhyming slang).
Dog and bone is usually informal, slang in register.
Dog and bone: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɒɡ ən ˈbəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɔːɡ ən ˈboʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's your dog and bone! (Answer the phone!)”
- “He's always on the dog.”
- “I had a right old dog and bone with the bank.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old-fashioned bone-shaped telephone that a cartoon dog would talk into. The dog is on the bone (phone).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A TOOL/FETCHED OBJECT (a bone is something a dog holds and worries at, like a conversation).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'dog and bone' primarily used?