ludlam’s dog
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
An indolent, inactive person is often said to be "as lazy as LUDLAM’S DOG, which leaned its head against the wall to bark." Sailors say "as lazy as Joe the Marine, who laid down his musket to sneeze."
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “ludlam’s dog” mean?
An indolent, inactive person is often said to be "as lazy as LUDLAM’S DOG, which leaned its head against the wall to bark." Sailors say "as lazy as Joe the Marine, who laid down his musket to sneeze."
Is “ludlam’s dog” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.