PhrasesHub

Shaggy dog story

    Definitions

      • a long, rambling story with a silly or anticlimactic ending
        To describe a story or account that takes a long time to tell and ultimately ends in a disappointing or pointless way

    Examples of Shaggy dog story

    • The coach told the team a shaggy dog story before the game to relax them, but little did they know that it would turn out to be a hilarious hour-long anecdote that left them groaning and checking their watches.

      In this example, the idiom "shaggy dog story" is used to describe a long and pointless story that leads nowhere. Here, the coach intended to tell a short and amusing story to calm down the team, but he ended up narrating an extended and uninteresting tale that bored and frustrated the athletes.

    • John's latest presentation at the board meeting was a shaggy dog story. He spent the entire hour going off topic and sharing irrelevant details, leaving his colleagues confused and irritated.

      Here, "shaggy dog story" is used in a figurative sense to imply that John's presentation was unproductive, disorganized, and lacked focus. The term highlights the fact that the speech did not have a clear theme or message and rather felt like a random collection of anecdotes.

    • The consultant's pitch was a real shaggy dog story. He used avant-garde slides, abstract jargon, and unsubstantiated claims that left the potential clients skeptical and suspicious.

      This example emphasizes the negative connotation of the idiom. The consultant's proposal was unconvincing, confusing, and unconvincing, leading the listeners to doubt the speaker's credibility. "Shaggy dog story" implies that the presentation was long-winded, impractical, and lacking in proofs, making it an excellent example of a futile and unproductive narrative.

    • The politician's staunch supporters didn't seem to mind the shaggy dog stories she kept sharing, despite their inconsistencies and implausibility.

      In this example, "shaggy dog stories" refer to a series of implausible or exaggerated claims made by a politician in her speeches. Here, the idiom is used to indicate that some people overlook the logical fallacies and factual errors in her statements because they are her supporters and want to believe in her positive image. The term highlights the notion that some individuals can be blindly loyal or dismissive of evidence that contradicts their preconceived notions.

    • Laurel always loved regaling her friends with long-winded anecdotes that never seemed to have a punchline. Her husband once jokingly called them "shaggy dog stories."

      The expression "shaggy dog story" comes from an old cartoon strip called "The Shaggy Dog" that featured a puppy with unruly hair. In the strip, the puppy would get into comically long and complicated situations that would never resolve. Just like those stories, Laurel's anecdotes often seemed to go on forever without any clear point or resolution.

    • At the company retreat, the CEO launched into a marathon speech about the company's future plans that left everyone staring blankly at their watches. Some whispered that it was the longest shaggy dog story they'd ever heard.

      The joke here is that just like in a shaggy dog story, the CEO's speech seemed to go on and on with no clear end in sight. The metaphor implies that the audience was just as confused and bored as the characters in those old cartoons.

    • My sister once told me about this harrowing encounter she had with a man dressed as a giant banana at a parade. I was expecting some laugh-out-loud punchline, but it turned out to be just another shaggy dog story.

      The use of "another" in this example reinforces the idea that the speaker has encountered many such stories before. The fact that it turned out to be a shaggy dog story suggests that it too, went on for far too long without any satisfying conclusion.

    • In fifth grade, my teacher would sometimes tell us these ridiculous stories about his childhood. They were always long and convoluted, but somehow still entertaining. I guess you could call them shaggy dog stories...for kids.

      The use of "for kids" in this example adds a humorous twist to the idiom, implying that the long-winded tales that the teacher used to regale his young audience with might have seemed like shaggy dog stories to adults, but were perhaps more tolerable to children with shorter attention spans.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "shaggy dog story" is used to describe a long-winded, meandering tale that ultimately leads to a trivial or unsatisfying conclusion. It is often used to convey the idea of a story that builds up a lot of anticipation or expectation, only to end in a way that is underwhelming or absurd. This idiom is commonly used to poke fun at stories that lack substance or purpose, and to highlight the frustration that can arise from investing time in a story that leads nowhere.

    People may use this idiom to express their annoyance or amusement at a story that seems to have no real point, or to caution others against getting involved in a situation that may turn out to be a waste of time. Overall, the phrase "shaggy dog story" is a colorful way to describe a narrative that ultimately falls flat.

    Origin of "Shaggy dog story"

    The origin of the idiom "shaggy dog story" can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the exact origins being unclear. The term "shaggy dog" likely refers to a type of long-haired, unkempt dog, which may have been associated with a scruffy appearance or a lack of purpose. The term "shaggy dog story" itself first appeared in print in the 1940s, and has since become a popular way to describe a particular type of narrative.

    The idiom is often associated with humor and satire, and is commonly used in literature, film, and everyday conversation to convey the idea of a story that leads to a meaningless or trivial conclusion. The term has evolved to become widely recognized and is used to describe a specific type of storytelling style.