sea dog

[ see dawg, dog ]

noun

1. Informal. a sailor, especially an old or experienced one.
2. harbor seal ( def ).
3. a dogfish.
4. Informal. a pirate or privateer.

sea dog

noun

1. an experienced or old sailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea dog¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

After a year-and-a-half-long search, a church chapel on the Lower East Side was the only affordable space Domig, the artistic director of the Off Off Broadway company Sea Dog Theater, had been able to find to mount a production of “Tuesdays With Morrie.”

From New York Times

Then it’s on to a “New Hampshire State House Beer Caucus Q&A” at the Sea Dog Brewing Company in Exeter in late afternoon, followed by a “Tell It Like It Is” town-hall meeting in Portsmouth.

From Washington Times

Try the East Lothian seafood chowder and NB sea dog cocktail, made with gin.

From Washington Post

As for the treacherous sea dog, Blackbeard, on November 22, 1718 he met his own end when he was killed in a fight with naval forces.

From Salon

When describing his oysters, he reached for a vocabulary that was part sommelier, part sea dog.

From New York Times