The dog and pony show wiki

You’ve likely heard a disappointed person describe an underwhelming event as “a dog and pony show.” When people talk about a dog and pony show today, they usually mean a flashy presentation or gathering that’s all about appearances, with little real substance.

But where does this phrase come from, and what’s its history?

1. What Does Dog and Pony Show Mean?
2. The True Origins of Dog and Pony Shows

What Does Dog and Pony Show Mean?

In everyday language, a dog and pony show refers to a performance or presentation meant to impress, but is lacking depth or real content.

Think: a really elaborate—and really bad—sales pitch or political rally.

Dog and pony show origin

It typically has a negative connotation, suggesting that style was used over substance.

Nowadays, people toss around the phrase to mock or criticize political and corporate shenanigans. But if hearing it brings to mind the image of trained dogs and ponies doing tricks to entertain an audience, you’re not far off from where the term originated.

The True Origins of Dog and Pony Shows

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dog and pony show idiom meaning

dog and pony show meaning origin