Definition of put down

The origin of the phrase "put down" dates back to the early 19th century. At that time, "put" was commonly used as a euphemism for "kill" or "dispose of". In the context of animals, this euphemism was often used to refer to the act of euthanizing a sick or injured animal humanely. The first recorded use of the term "put down" in this sense appeared in a hunting publication, the Ornis Scandinavica, in 1836. In the article, the author describes how a sick bird was "put down" to prevent it from suffering. The use of "put down" to describe the killing of an animal quickly gained popularity, particularly in the context of animal control and humane societies. By the late 1800s, the expression had become widely accepted and used to refer to the euthanasia of stray animals in a humane and efficient manner. In modern times, "put down" remains a common term used by veterinarians, animal control organizations, and keen animal lovers to describe the humane euthanasia of sick or injured animals. The expression is still used as a euphemism to avoid the more blunt and less palatable word "kill".