Date:  Thu, 9 Mar 1995 22:26:59 LCL

From:  Michael Elkins <MELKINS[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ADVOCATE.COM>

Subject: Re: Salty dog?



On 3/9/95 Wayles Brown wrote:



>I also have a query about the words of a song.

>What does "salty dog" mean in the following?

>

>Salty Dog Rag (1960's or earlier?)

>

>Salty dog, salty dog,

>I wanna be your salty dog,

>Honey, let me be your salty dog.

>

>If I can't be your salty dog

>I won't be your man at all,

>Honey, let me be your salty dog.





From my college days in central Texas, I remember a cocktail called a

Status: R



salty dog--a derivative of another cocktail called a greyhound (vodka

and grapefruit juice, I believe). A salty dog was a greyhound served in

a glass with a salted rim.



Since I love my margaritas served in a salted glass so that I can lick

off the salt as I drink, I can imagine a salty-dog drinker doing the

same.



The lyrics could be a metaphor for sexual licking. (And I don't feel

obscene.)



Michael W. Elkins

Managing Editor

The Advocate