The origins and original intent of the phrase S.O.B ?

Question

In the original use of the phrase "Bill is a son of a *****"...was it intended to be more of an insult to the man involved as being a "dog" or intended to insult his mother by referring to her as a *****?.

Also, any idea as to when this phrase became popular?

Answer 1

A mean, disagreeable individual, as in He was regarded as the worst son of a ***** in the industry, or He ran out on her? What an SOB, or He's a real son of a gun when it comes to owing you money. Calling a man the son of a female dog, dates from the early 1300s . The abbreviation S.O.B. dates from World War I. The second meaning , first recorded in  1708, gave rise to the theory that it originally applied to baby boys born at sea (in the days when women accompanied their husbands on long voyages).  It also once meant the illegitimate son of a soldier (or "gun").