| 词汇 | bulldog |
| 词源 | bulldog. This breed of dog takes its name from the so-called sport it was bred for, not because it bears any resemblance to a bull. Bulldogs were bred centuries ago for bull-baiting “con- tests” held in England until they were outlawed by Parliament in 1835. A bull was chained to a stake in the center of the arena and then whipped into a frenzy when dogs were loosed upon it. The dogs had to be able to get by the bull’s horns, seize its nose, and hang on tenaciously. Therefore, they were bred to be strong, savage, courageous animals with a low center of gravity and an undershot jaw. These bulldogs were often killed, but the bull could never win: if it killed several bulldogs, more were set upon it. Because of its courage and tenacity the bull- dog became a symbol of England. Over the years much of the savage aggressiveness has been bred out of the animal. See pit bull. |
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