Who coined the term "Underdog" and why?

Answer 1

I think that it was: Sweet Polly Purebred......or maybe --

The origin of the word "underdog" comes from naval shipbuilding when the planks of wood were sawn for their construction. The logs of wood were placed over a pit on planks of wood called "dogs" (a bit like fire dogs). The senior sawsman stood on top of the plank and he was the overdog. The junior had to go into the pit and saw and of course he got covered in saw dust. He was the "underdog".

Answer 2

i think the jonior had to go under a dog