Where Did Straight From The Horse’S Mouth Come From?

The most likely is that it comes from horse-racing circles: a tipster supposedly has inside information so good that it comes straight from the horse. According to the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the expression goes back to 1917.

What does the idiom straight from the horse’s mouth mean?

If you hear something (straight) from the horse’s mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it.

Is straight from the horse’s mouth offensive?

Is straight from the horse’s mouth offensive? Generally, this idiom is not offensive. It’s not truly comparing someone to a horse but is referencing a longer history in which horses played a role.

What is the origin of the saying paying through the nose?

When the Danes conquered Ireland in the ninth century, they took a census by “counting noses”. Exorbitant taxes were imposed on each “nose”, thus one had to pay through the nose.

Where did the expression by the way come from?

First appeared in the 10th century with literal meaning “by the side of the road”, from Old English weġ (which became “way”) meaning “road”. Soon afterward (circa 1000) it came to mean “during one’s journey”.

What do cowboys say to stop a horse?

It’s whoa. This interjection means “stop.” You might use it as a command to stop a galloping horse.

Why do you not mount a horse on the right side?

Mounting from the left is just tradition. Soldiers would mount up on their horses left sides so that their swords, anchored over their left legs, wouldn’t harm their horses’ backs.

Why do a person mount a horse from the left side?

Why do you always have to mount a horse from the left side? Answer: In ancient warfare, soldiers would traditionally have their sword on the left side. So when they mounted their horse, it was easier to approach from the left.

What does it cost me an arm and a leg mean?

be too expensive
idiom. informal. : to be too expensive. I want a new car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

What is fish out of water mean?

idiom. a person who feels awkward or unhappy because they are in a situation that is not familiar or because they are different from the people around them: I didn’t have any friends that were like me. I just always felt like a fish out of water.

Where does the saying the devil to pay?

The original saying was ‘the devil to pay and no pitch hot’. ‘Pay’ was an old nautical term that meant to seal a ship’s seams with tar. As regular readers will already know the ‘devil’ was the name of the longest seam of a ship, which ran from stem to stern and supported the gun deck.

What does in the bye and bye mean?

by the way; incidentally.

What does the term by the bye means?

Incidentally
Incidentally, in passing, as in By the bye, my wife is coming too, or Exactly where do you live, by the by? The bye or second by in this term originally meant “a side path,” whence the current sense of “off the track” or “of secondary importance.” [Early 1500s] Also see by the way.

Is It bye the bye or by the by?

This phrase can be written in two ways: by the by and by the bye. Both spellings mean the same thing; by the by is the more common variant. This phrase is similar to the phrase “by the way.”

What did cowboys call guns?

Plow Handle – A single action pistol was sometime referred to as a plow handle. These were also referred to as “thumbusters,” “cutters,” “smoke poles,” and “hawg legs.”

What does a cowboy call a friend?

Wheel-Horse – An intimate friend, one’s right hand man.

What do cowboys call cows?

Why are cattle ‘dogies‘? Why did cowboys refer to their cattle as “dogies”? It’s hard to imagine they confused bovines with canines. First of all, some say dogies and some say doggies.

Where is the safest place to stand by a horse?

Stand to the “near side” (left side) of the horse, between the head and shoulder, ideally at the throat latch. Standing behind a horse is also unsafe, as they have a blind spot there as well. When standing close to the horse, standing next to the horse’s body is the safest.

Should you lean forward when riding a horse?

It’s very important not to be leaning forward when you’re going down, and not to be leaning back when you’re going up. That will unbalance you and your horse, which makes his job twice as difficult.

What does it mean when a horse lowers its head to you?

A dropped head is a sign your horse is relaxed and feeling good, and his ears will often hang to the side as well. If he’s standing in his stall or pasture with a lowered head, he’s probably either resting or asleep; call his name and make your approach obvious so you don’t startle him.

What does it mean when a horse runs their head on you?

This behavior is a way horses naturally groom each other. When your horse tries rubbing its head on your body, it may be attempting to “groom” you as a show of affection. Even though some horses rub their head on humans as a way to show affection, it’s a behavior that should be discouraged due to the risk of injury.