The term dogfight has been used for centuries to describe a melee: a fierce, fast - paced battle between two or more opponents. The term gained popularity during World War II although its origin in air combat can be traced to the latter years of World War I. The first written reference to the modern day usage of the word comes from Fly Papers, by A. E. Illingworth, in 1919, "The battle develops into a ' dog - fight ', small groups of machines engaging each other in a fight to the death. ''
where does the term dog fight come from
Fly Papers, by A. E. Illingworth, in 1919