black dog
Depression's old metaphor
Black dog is a metaphor for depression, especially the recurring kind that shadows a person through life.
The image—a dark creature that follows, returns unbidden, and feels impossible to shake—captures depression's persistent, oppressive nature.
Winston Churchill famously used the phrase for his own depressive episodes: The black dog is back.
The expression predates Churchill but his usage popularized it.
Subdued, lasting sadness
- despairTotal absence of hope
- hopelessnessState without hope
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- sadnessState of emotional pain
Churchill · darkness · shadow · anxiety · fatigue · lethargy · isolation · withdrawal
Prophetic indicator
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- hellhoundMythical underworld canine
- specterGhostly threatening presence
haunting · crossroads · supernatural · legend · portent · graveyard · moors · nocturnal
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
- despairTotal absence of hope
- hopelessnessState without hope
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
sadness · Churchill · darkness · shadow · anxiety · fatigue · lethargy · isolation · withdrawal · insomnia
omen
Prophetic indicator
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
- hellhoundMythical underworld canine
specter · haunting · crossroads · supernatural · legend · portent · graveyard · moors · nocturnal · spirit
Labrador
Retriever breed from Canada
fur · puppy · rescue · companion · breed · loyal · shelter · mutt · glossy · ebony
- Dark Creaturesdemon, vampire, werewolf, zombie, ghoul
- ghostsapparitions, ghosts, apparition, phantoms, specter
- British Folklorefairy, fairies, pixie, pixies, brownie
- canine mythologyAnubis, Cerberus, Fenrir, hellhound, werewolf
- West Country Folklorepixies, spriggans, knocker, knockers, giant
- rescue dogsstray, abuse survivor, long-term resident, retired racer
black dogjoy
Intense positive emotion
happiness · elation · euphoria · contentment · mental wellness
black dogwhite dove
ray of sunshine · silver lining · bluebird of happiness · guiding light · beacon of hope
black doghope
Desire for good outcomes
levity · lightness · zest for life · will to live · life force
black, dog, blacken, Black Friday, blackout, blackberry, blackness, blackest, blacker