Who Was The First Person To Say Hold Your Horses?

Published by Jennifer Webster on

Antilochus.
Origins. In Book 23 of the Iliad, Homer writes “Hold your horses!” when referring to Antilochus driving like a maniac in a chariot race that Achilles initiates in the funeral games for Patroclus.

Where did saying hold your horses come from?

The term “hold your horses” means be patient or slow down. “Hold your horses” originates from a time before cars, when horse transportation was common. The term was used literally to tell someone to stop their horses or prevent them from moving off. Nowadays, it is used figuratively to mean be patient or slow down.

Is hold your horses a southern saying?

If you grew up in the South, you know hearing the phrase “hold your horses” means hang on a minute or wait, but knowing where the expression comes from isn’t quite as common knowledge. The literal meaning of the phrase is an easy one to grasp.

What is the actual meaning of hold your horses?

used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something: Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment.

Why do people tell you to hold your horses?

If someone tells you to hold your horses, they’re asking you to stop and think about what you’re doing. This idiom originates from horseback riding and horse-drawn carriages. The rider or driver holds the ropes and reins that are used to slow the horses down and direct them.

Who came up with Hold your horses?

Origins. In Book 23 of the Iliad, Homer writes “Hold your horses!” when referring to Antilochus driving like a maniac in a chariot race that Achilles initiates in the funeral games for Patroclus.

What to say instead of Hold your horses?

Synonyms:I’m sorry, wait a minute​/​second, hang on, just a minute​/​moment​/​second, I hate to bother​/​interrupt​/​trouble etc.

Do horses remember you forever?

Since horses have nearly photographic memories, it may come as no surprise that horses remember people by their faces. Show them a picture of someone they know, and they will surely react to it. Horses can even recognize people after years of separation!

Where did the idiom come from?

Idioms are usually derived from local culture and customs in each individual language.

Where did that come from saying?

There’s [plenty] more where that came from! is an idiomatic informal expression often used after an act of aggression, telling whoever you’ve just attacked that you are able and willing to continue hostilities if the victim doesn’t concede defeat (you still have more aggressive capabilities in reserve).

Why do we say cat got your tongue?

On English sailing ships, anyone entrusted with a secret by a higher officer would be threatened with “the cat” for telling; thus, the saying ‘has the cat got your tongue?’ became slang for ‘are you afraid to tell?’

Why do they say paint the town red?

The expression is American slang meaning to go on a reckless debauch, to be wildly extravagant. Originally, the metaphor applied to bonfires painting the sky or scenery red. An old Irish ballad contains the lines: The beacon hills were painted red/ With many a fire that night.

Why is it called bee’s knees?

The origin of this expression is largely unknown, although there are a number of theories. Some people believe that it is a reference to the fact that bees carry pollen in sacks on their knees, and that the expression therefore alludes to this concentrated goodness.

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