The Entirely Human Journey of “I Know What You Are, Dog”
It may seem like an entirely average proverb or piece of advice: “I know what you are, dog.” But this simple expression has been embedded in our culture for centuries. From the early 1700s, when the expression was first recorded, to its establishment in rap, film, and television, “I know what you are, dog” has become an anthem of the human experience.
The Proverb’s Historical and Cultural Impact
The oldest referenced use of “I know what you are, dog” is from the 1715 British playwright Thomas D’Urfey’s comedy Dr. Last in His Chariot. But it’s impossible to define where the proverb truly originated and how it moved through towns and cities around the world. It is more likely that “I know what you are, dog” was passed orally from person to person, eventually being written down and appearing in recorded history.
In both its written and oral forms, “I know what you are, dog” has carried a variety of meanings throughout time. It has served different functions depending on its context and the people involved in the conversations. Generally, it serves as method to express suspicion and doubt, indicating that someone is not what they appear to be. The phrase has been used to denote one has been found out in a lie or is not living up to expectations.
The phrase has defined a wide range of texts in all sorts of mediums. In music, for example, Ice-T’s 1988 rap song “Colors” is built off the phrase’s warning that someone can’t hide their real colors for too long. Similarly, movies, like the 1988 film Colors, convey the feeling of the phrase in its title.
“I Know What You are, Dog” in Everyday Life
Many of us have heard the phrase “I know what you are, dog” in our everyday conversations. As a part of everyday life, this phrase still serves as a powerful tool to show that one is aware of people’s true colors.
It is easy to take this expression for granted, but that phrase holds an enormity of human experience. It serves as a reminder that our relationships with one another can be delicate and complex. In that sense, knowing what someone is isn’t always easy, and the expression serves as reminder to look beyond the surface.
More than a simple sentiment, the full scope of what “I know what you are, dog” encompasses runs much deeper than its two words. It encapsulates a wide range of emotions, perspectives, and social dynamics. It speaks to the human experience of knowing and being known, and of understanding and being understood. Ultimately it reminds us all that we share a common experience, whether we know it or not.