† 1. A cant name, in Queen Anne’s reign, for a bad shilling or other base silver coin. Obs.
1706. Luttrell, in Ashton, Reign Q. Anne, II. 225. The Art of making Black Dogs, which are Shillings, or other pieces of money made only of Pewter, double Wash’d.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., Wks. 1755, V. II. 44. Butchers’ half-pence, black-dogs, and others the like.
2. fig. Melancholy, depression of spirits; ill-humour; (in some country places, when a child is sulky, it is said ‘the black dog is on his back’).
1826. Scott, in Lockhart (1839), VIII. 335. A great relief from the black dog which would have worried me at home.
1882. Stevenson, New Arab. Nts., II. 111. He did not seem to be enjoying his luck…. The black dog was on his back, as people say, in terrifying nursery metaphor.
