English:
A "running dog" is a term of political abuse meaning a person who serves a repressive system or follows orders without question. It is a direct translation of the Chinese term "走狗" (zǒu gǒu), literally "running dog," used in Chinese political rhetoric to describe lackeys or servants of oppressive forces.
中文:
"Running dog" 是一个政治侮辱术语,指为压迫制度服务或盲目服从命令的人。它是中文"走狗"的直译,在中国政治语境中用来描述压迫势力的走狗或爪牙。
The Oxford English Dictionary records "running dog" as a translation from Chinese, citing its use in English from the 1920s and 1930s. The term was widely used during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) as a political label. In English, it has been adopted more broadly to describe anyone who unquestioningly serves a corrupt or oppressive system.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "running dog" (n.). <a href="https://www.oed.com/dictionary/running-dog_n" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.oed.com/dictionary/running-dog_n</a>
中文:牛津英语词典将"running dog"记录为中文翻译,引用了1920-30年代的英语使用记录。该术语在文化大革命期间作为政治标签广泛使用。在英语中,它更广泛地用来描述任何盲目为腐败或压迫制度服务的人。
📌 Example 1
Political commentary:
"He does whatever the leadership says."
"A classic running dog. Zero independent thought."
政治评论:
"领导说什么他做什么。"
"经典的走狗。完全没有独立思考。"
📌 Example 2
About corporate behavior:
"The PR team defends every bad decision."
"They're running dogs for the executives."
关于企业行为:
"公关团队为每一个糟糕决定辩护。"
"他们是高管的走狗。"
📌 Example 3
In an argument:
"You just repeat whatever the media tells you!"
"Don't be a running dog. Think for yourself!"
争论中:
"你就是媒体说什么你重复什么!"
"别做走狗。自己思考!"
📌 Example 4
Caption on a political cartoon:
"Running dogs of the wealthy. Always protecting the 1%."
"Some things never change."
政治漫画配文:
"富人的走狗。永远在保护那1%。"
"有些东西永远不会变。"
📌 Example 5
About a blindly loyal employee:
"He would do anything the boss asks."
"No questions asked. Total running dog."
关于盲目忠心的员工:
"老板让做什么他就做什么。"
"从不质疑。完全的走狗。"
📌 Example 6
Historical reference:
"During the Cultural Revolution, many were labeled running dogs."
"A painful period in Chinese history."
历史参考:
"文革期间,很多人被贴上走狗的标签。"
"中国历史上的一段痛苦时期。"
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