dog Latin

noun

1. mongrel or spurious Latin.
2. a jargon imitating Latin.

dog Latin

noun

1. spurious or incorrect Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog Latin¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

In 1992 the Queen disarmed the disaster of the Windsor Fire and the breakdown of three of her children's marriages by resorting to some facetious dog Latin - 1992 had been her "Annus Horribilis", she explained with a smile.

From BBC

No hotch-potch here of dog Latin and Levantine Greek, but plain straight English, cool and fresh in the mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

My old friend Tyro, a half-bred collie, but most beautiful animal, understood and was in the habit of being talked to in three languages, to say nothing of broad Scotch, namely, English, Gaelic, and Latin—no, not dog Latin, by your leave, sir, but the real Simon Pure and Ciceronic.

From Project Gutenberg

The Italian language, recently emerged from dog Latin, had just begun to serve literary uses, and Frederick's court had the honour of producing the first school of Italian poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

The jury were complimented on their intelligent and lascivious appearance, all the filthy particulars which had been noticed were referred to Dog Latin, and poetical quotations were plentifully thrown in; and by twelve, amidst the plaudits of the audience, the affair, so far as the Judge and Jury Club was concerned, was over. 

From Project Gutenberg