It's a bit of a puzzle for sure. I can't even think of a single coherent or semi-logical explanation or speculation about the etymology or source of the word. Here's a couple use cases of the word so that you, the reader, might also be confused along with me.
"Bring that puppy over here whenever you get a chance." Wayne spoke as he pointed at the vividly colored cupcake sitting on the counter next to the masked stranger.
She smiled wryly, while listening intently on her headphones, then exclaimed "Dang, that puppy is confusing and subtle!"
It's almost like the slang term "puppy" is somehow a placeholder for the generic representation of a non-specific object. I'm currently not really able to think of other such words that serve the same kind of purpose(though, I am sure there are many) but even in this case it is quite confusing as to it's origins. "Dog" or "dawg" both seem like they could be related but don't have any kind of similar meaning so it seems like a dubious guess. My only thought that feels like it could have some merit would be the idea that it somehow came from the world of jazz. I might only think that because it seems like a lot of common slang terms that are still in semi-regular use seemed to have come from there.
If anybody knows anything and can fill me in please let me know. I might take some time to do research about it if it starts to bug me too much but for now I guess I'm happy to just muse about it in a speculative way a little.
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