How Do You Spell SHAGGY DOG STORY?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈaɡi dˈɒɡ stˈɔːɹɪ] (IPA)

The phrase "shaggy dog story" refers to a long and meandering tale that often lacks a clear point. The spelling of this word is straightforward, with each syllable pronounced distinctly. "Shaggy" is pronounced /ˈʃæɡi/, with a short "a" sound in the first syllable and a hard "g" sound in the second syllable. "Dog" is pronounced /dɒɡ/, with a long "o" sound in the second syllable. "Story" is pronounced /ˈstɔːri/, with a long "o" sound in the second syllable and emphasis on the first.

SHAGGY DOG STORY Meaning and Definition

1. A shaggy dog story is a humorous anecdote or narrative that involves an elaborate and often exaggerated setup, leading to a purposely anticlimactic or illogical conclusion. The term "shaggy dog" refers to a tale that's long, drawn-out, and quite literally seems to have too much hair, much like a shaggy dog.

   These stories typically have multiple twists and turns, often captivating the listener with vivid details and engaging plotlines. They may use extensive and often irrelevant descriptions that seem to steer the tale into a climactic resolution, only to end with a punchline that's unexpected, anticlimactic, or completely unrelated to the initial story.

   Shaggy dog stories are known for their convoluted structures and ability to hold the audience's attention through their prolonged storytelling. They often rely on delayed gratification, stretching the buildup before crushing the listener's expectations by delivering a lackluster or absurd finale.

   While these stories might not offer the satisfaction of a typical joke or story with a clear punchline, they are appreciated for their clever construction and the delight in anticipation that they instill in the listener. The charm of a shaggy dog story lies in the exaggerated buildup, providing entertainment through the journey rather than the destination.

Common Misspellings for SHAGGY DOG STORY

• ahaggy dog story
• zhaggy dog story
• xhaggy dog story
• dhaggy dog story
• ehaggy dog story
• whaggy dog story
• sgaggy dog story
• sbaggy dog story
• snaggy dog story
• sjaggy dog story
• suaggy dog story
• syaggy dog story
• shzggy dog story
• shsggy dog story
• shwggy dog story
• shqggy dog story
• shafgy dog story
• shavgy dog story
• shabgy dog story

Idioms with the word SHAGGY DOG STORY

• a shaggy dog story "A shaggy dog story" is an idiom used to describe a long, rambling, and ultimately pointless or anticlimactic story or anecdote that tends to disappoint the listener or reader. These stories often involve many twists and turns, but ultimately lead to an underwhelming or unrelated punchline. The term "shaggy dog" refers to the use of a dog, specifically one with shaggy hair, as a main character in such stories.
• shaggy dog story A shaggy dog story is a long, drawn-out and often exaggerated story that leads to an anticlimactic or absurd conclusion, often used for comic effect.