A Horse, A Horse, My Kingdom For A Horse!
Man’s association with horses is well illustrated in our mythology. Almost every culture in the world have some horses in their folklore. The Unicorn, Pegasus, Sleipner, Chollima, Tulpar and Khantaka are just a few examples of famous horses.
But before you think that I’m talking horse feathers, let me give it to you straight from the horse’s mouth. I have always been a bit of a dark horse – if not the horse’s a** – but you may as well get off your high horse because there is no use in flogging a dead horse.
It is rude to look a gift horse in the mouth and if you had any horse sense you will know that you can only lead a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink. So you may as well stop horsing around or the horselaugh will be on you. Now hold your horses and don’t put the cart in front of the horses. I wish you would stop this horseplay but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
I never realized that there were so many idioms and expressions about horses. A quick search of the Internet revealed at least 150 of them.
Wild horses couldn't drag him away from the racecourse but it was a one-horse race and he backed the wrong horse. The Trojan horse was a better bet because here they run horses for courses and this time it was a horse of a different color.
My cousin is a horse of many colors and as strong as a horse but that is hardly surprising because he eats like a horse. Mind you, if only this was not such a one-horse town, I could have eaten a horse.
But more amazing is that there are many other idioms and expressions that don’t contain the word horse like ‘a run for your money’, ‘a head start’, ‘from scratch’ and ‘neck and neck’, all have their origins from the horseracing track – or is that the race course?.
A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse but it is no use to shut the stable after the horse has bolted and one should remember that if two ride on the same horse, one must ride behind.
For the want of a nail, a shoe was lost.
For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost.
For the want of a horse, a kingdom was lost.
Well, I better be on my horse or I’ll be here all day.
You all have a good time but don’t play horsy, horsy all day.
Comments (30)
I just wanted to be the first to post on your blog.
The only thing horse that comes to my mind is the, I think, tongue twister that says something about, "its a horse of course." I can't remember exactly how it goes.
i like to own a white horse and a black dog
Yes, I think it was the first time but of course, a horse is a horse, of course. And no one can talk to a horse of course. That is, of course, unless it is a movie.
White horses are not as plentiful as other horses but white dogs are easier to come by. Why not a black horse and a white dog? Just asking.
Could it have been Mr Ed's horse? I saw him a few days ago but not with his horse. I think he was talking ball.
Great! Horsing around....
Yes, horses are very intelligent animals and the love to please humans.
No, not horsing around, more like riding the horse without a saddle.
Seeee..
Or riding a horse. Without the horse having a back!...
Sorry for taking so long to respond but we had no electricity for a while.
Horse teeth, eh?
Oh dear, This time I cannot understand what you try to say, I fear. Could you rephrase your comment.
I am too tired to play horsy horsy. So off to bed. Wish you a pleasant evening Cat!!!
I love it. Do you know where it comes from?
Horses are proud animals and love to compete or to show off.
and black dog because people here say they very
very loveable
Ok about the white horse but not all black dogs are that lovable. Dobermans are also black.
Nothing better to herd cows, check fences or frighten kids (he didn't like kids and although he didn't throw them off, he made sure they wanted to get off him on their own accord and pronto)
He was white but very hard to keep him that way.
He was a great companion to grow up with and he was with us for 22 years. I wouldn't buy a horse again (exception me winning the lotto and having too much time and money) but I'm glad I had him for such a long time.
My late brother kept a horse but it cost him more in stable fees than what it was worth. To keep a horse when you live in a city is not a viable proposition. I'll stick to cats and dogs.
One more mouth to feed didn't really matter with the cows around and he stayed with the calves (he liked the company which wasn't reciprocated as he liked to terrorise them).
And the strange part is that he seldom bothered with the horse. I think it was just a status symbol to him.