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one's dogs are barking
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What is the origin of the idiom "one's dogs are barking" and when to use it?
The idiom "one's dogs are barking" originated from early 20th-century American slang, specifically from the African American community. "Dogs" in this context refers to one's feet, and "barking" represents the discomfort or pain experienced in the feet after extended walking or standing. It is used to express that one's feet are hurting or feeling sore, typically from being tired or wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Example
Lisa spent the entire day on her feet at the busy retail store, and by closing time, her dogs were barking with exhaustion.
John went hiking in the mountains and by the end of the day, his dogs were barking from all the steep climbs and uneven terrain.
After walking all day in uncomfortable shoes, Jane exclaimed, "My dogs are barking!"
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