Expressions That Came From Horse People
Yesterday, while driving through an older part of our nearby town, I noted little alley-side garages originally built as backyard stables for the horses and carriages that once served as family transportation. And I got to thinking about expressions that entered our language back when almost everyone had some kind of connection to horses--even it was just from the passenger seat of a horse-drawn mode of getting from here to there. (Heck--a hundred years ago, it was impossible NOT to have the smell of horse manure be part of everyday life.)
A few horse-esque expressions that come to mind:
* Don't put the cart before the horse.
* That's a horse of a different color.
* There's no point in beating a dead horse.
* Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
* She's gotten a little long in the tooth.
* Got a burr under your saddle?
* Stop all that horsin' around!
The typical citizen understands the metaphoric meaning of these phrases. But I'm left to wonder how many folks are left who can relate to their LITERAL meanings. (How many "civilians" do you know who've ever peered into a horse's mouth, or who know that only OLD horses have long teeth?)
Feel free to toss out any horse-related expressions that come to mind for you. I'll bet we can get a pretty good list going without having to try too hard.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 11:36 AM
25 comments
25 Comments:
Some that came to mind were, "I'm chomping at the bit" and "I have to pee like a race horse!" oh and don't forget, "Rode hard and put away wet." LOL Not the classiest of expressions but...
Deanna--
Good ones!
:)
-Don't let her get your goat.
-He's a dark horse.
-She's feeling her oats.
-Hold your horses!
-Rein him in!
-Get off your high horse.
-That's straight from the horse's mouth.
-You eat like a horse!
-You can lead a horse to water, but can't make him drink.
-That makes horse sense.
-They live in a one-horse town.
-Don't change horses in midstream.
-Stop the horseplay!
-She closed the stable door after the horse had bolted.
-He's backing the wrong horse.
-Wild horses couldn't keep me away!
-Grandma's as stubborn as a mule!
-Betting on the wrong horse.
-They gave me a dog and pony show.
-I'm hoofin' it.
-It's time for her to be put out to pasture.
-Horse feathers!
-She's a work/war horse.
-I could eat a horse!
Ellen
I have another not very classy one:
"&#$@X you and the horse you rode in on!"
Juli, when people post to your blog why doesn't their avatars appear next to their name?
Ellen wins the award so far!
Steph,
What is an avatar?! (Besides the name of a race horse?)
Yep, 'She closed the stable door after the horse had bolted.' was the first that came to mind for me. It definetly makes you wonder every time you hear someone use one of those terms if they have any idea what the relation is...it's like the saying "knee-high to a grasshopper", I used it before even understanding it! haha!
Good grief, I can't compete! It looks like Ellen "has the the reins" on this one. ;)
Your avatars (little profile images next to your comments) should show up now.
I have another classy one to add for wardrobe malfunctions: Your barn door's open!
Kate
My brain is mis-firing today! I know there's something about wheels and can't quite get it... something like the sound of your own wheels making you crazy (although that particular wording is from a song)
Can anybody help with this one?
Totally off topic here, but I didn't know how to contact you any other way :o)
I don't know if you are aware of the story of Petersburg Knight or not, but a soldier was given his orders that he was going to Iraq, advertised his horses for free on Craigslist and gave his horses to a woman who claimed to have wanted them for 4-H. She took Petersburg Knight and then just hours later sold him at auction where he was bought by a kill buyer. Luckily he was bought back from the kill buyer by a rescue and has since been adopted out as a trail mount.
Here's his story as seen on KING 5 news. The Petersburg Knight Story
Thought it might be of interest of people, especially in light of how many horses are given away for free without contracts, etc.
Ok... feeling like a total dork here!
The Petersburg Knight Story
Thanks for passing on the link and info about the giveaway horse. You may have done someone else's horse a great service.
You're welcome!
An Avatar is, or at least this is how its been explained to me, the little picture icon we have next to our names. Also if you play online video games and/or playing a role playing game the digital image you use to represent yourself is an "avatar".
And they are showing up now! Maybe it was my computer not wanting to display the images?
Ha!! I just saw equisearch's post!
Duh - well at least they took care of it.
I navigated back here saw them all and thought I was going nuts....
Have a good weekend Jul1! Wish me luck in Monroe!
Steph,
The avatars are showing up because our webmaster saw your post and waved her magic wand!
Steph,
Definitely "good luck" to you in Monroe!
Also be sure to ask your trainer about some items I sent along for you to try on. (English clothes and Western rail shirt.) If they fit you, feel free to wear them for the weekend.
Thanks for this post Juli. It has been so much fun reading everyones comments and it has kept me laughing!
how about he's a mule. or he's being a mule.
Julie,
kinda off topic but I was reading H&R and found in a little corner that you were with Al Dunning. How fantastic was that?? I have his books and videos. Can you give us a little morsel of information about your time with him?
Texas,
Have you seen June's H&R yet? It has a whole article about my opportunity to ride with Al Dunning.
I loved riding with Al--he made me a better rider within minutes, so he's obviously a great coach. He really makes you RIDE, no excuses, in a way that is challenging but fun. (Al is a fun guy to be around in general--always positive and "let's do it!" about things.) The person you see on his videos and DVDs is the the real Al.
Al's ranch in Scottsdale is probably my favorite place to work on photo shoots. Great footing, plenty of space in the arenas or out in the desert, lovely vistas, and lots of sun. Plus Al!
nice ones everybody! i know i'm a lil late here...
how about...
- well take your blinders off!
- I left you in the dust!
- that's pretty lame.
I'm sure these two came from days of wrangling, I picked them up when I was a kid from my Uncle Buddy Ray who was old cowboy horse shoer.
-Rise and shine days gettin old.
-Better get movin we're burnin daylight.
I have no experience with this, but I would just like to know what these expressions mean:
-Horse feathers!
-I'm hoofing it
-She's feeling her oats
-That's straight from the horse's mouth
Thanks for these expressions. They're great to use on cards for horsy friends.
-Just horsin' around
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