yellow dog

Meanings

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see yellow, dog.
2. A Carolina dog.
3. An item or person of low value.
4. Ellipsis of Yellow Dog Democrat.

1. Alternative letter-case form of yellow dog, chiefly used when the word has the sense "Carolina dog" or the sense "Yellow Dog Democrat".

Etymology

Carolina dogs were called yellow dogs because many had yellow coats. The fact that many mongrel dogs also had yellow coats lead to the term's application to any worthless item or person. For the etymology of the term Yellow Dog Democrat, see that entry.