The Black Dog Pompey

A nursery phantom. The black dog Pompey is said to be on a child's back when he is fractious. It was a common saying in some parts of England, such as Denbighshire. In South Devonshire, they said in a similar sense "Your tail's on your shoulder."

References

Source

  • Hazlitt, W. Carew. (1869). English proverbs and proverbial phrases. London: J. Russel, p. 317.