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It appears to be a back-formation from the late 19th Century slang adjective doggy, or stylish. To "put on" in this sense means to hold up as a mask or false front, so putting on the dog means "assuming the appearance of someone who dresses up" and it is said of someone who normally wears a T shirt.

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∙ 14y ago
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∙ 7mo ago

"Putting on the dog" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It refers to someone dressing up in a fancy or ostentatious manner to impress others. The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but it is thought to have derived from the practice of wealthy individuals in the 19th century showing off their expensive clothing by taking their dogs for walks in fashionable areas.

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Q: What is the origin of putting on the dog?
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