subs. phr. (colloquial).—A selfish churl; who does not want himself, yet will not let others enjoy. [From the fable.]
1621. BURTON, The Anatomy of Melancholy, I., II., III., xii., 189 (1836). Like a hog, or DOG IN THE MANGER, he doth only keep it, because it shall do nobody else good.
1673. DRYDEN, Amboyna, Act ii. You’re like DOGS IN THE MANGER, you will neither manage it yourselves nor permit your neighbours.
1757. GARRICK, Irish Widow, II. That’s the DOG IN THE MANGER; you can’t eat the oats, and won’t let those who can.
1836. MARRYAT, Japhet, ch. lxxii. Why, what a DOG IN THE MANGER you must be—you can’t marry them both.
