Where Does The Expression A Horse A Piece Come From?

“A horse apiece”, meaning “six of one, half a dozen of the other,” comes from an old dice gambling game to describe a draw.

Where does the saying a horse apiece come from?

The likeliest origin of this phrase comes from old dice games (back sometime in the 1800s). While there is an old dice game called ‘Horse’, the phrase ‘A Horse Apiece’ was used in a wide variety of games. It was used to refer to a situation when two players are throwing for the best two out of three.

What does the expression a horse a piece mean?

Some say it’s from the basketball game horse. Others say it’s from a dice game. Regardless, it means things are equal.

Where does a phrase come from?

1520s, “manner or style of expression,” also “brief expression with some unity; two or more words expressing what is practically a single notion,” from Late Latin phrasis “diction,” from Greek phrasis “speech, way of speaking, enunciation, phraseology,” from phrazein “to tell, declare, indicate, point out, show, inform

Where does the expression a piece of work come from?

The term is found in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties…” In this case, the term is used literally.

Why do they say never look a gift horse in the mouth?

The idiom itself probably stems from the practice of determining a horse’s age from looking at its teeth. It would be rude to receive a horse for your birthday and immediately examine its mouth in front of the person who gave it to you, as if you were trying to figure out the value of your gift.

Where did the saying put a sock in it come from?

This is a colloquial British phrase that originated in the early 20th century. It is generally used when someone is being so noisy as to annoy others. The imagery behind the phrases is that putting a sock in whatever was causing the noise would quieten it down.

Why is a horse’s neck called a GG?

The internet provides different explanations for its etymology. Wikipedia says that the term “Gee-Gee” is taken from horse-racing where a Gee-Gee is the first horse out of the starting gate. Other sources say that GG is short for the command given to horses to go: “gee up”.

What does a piece mean in slang?

a woman regarded as a sexual partner. b. an instance of sexual intercourse. ; often regarded as vulgar also ; Slang piece of ass.

What is cockney rhyming slang for horse?

For instance, Green said, “Charing Cross” is rhyming slang for “horse”— but the rhyme only works in the Cockney accent.

Where does the saying Bob’s your uncle come from?

In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase ‘Bob’s your uncle’ was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as ‘Uncle Bob’. Apparently, it’s very simple to become a minister when Bob’s your uncle!

Why do they 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?’

Where did the saying for Pete’s sake come from?

From where did the phrase “for Pete’s sake” come? “For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive.

What does getting a piece of the pie mean?

a share of something
idiom. informal. a share of something: When the business started making money, everyone in his family wanted a piece of the pie.

What does a nasty piece of work mean?

an unkind or unpleasant person
a nasty piece of work
chiefly British. : an unkind or unpleasant person. Her boyfriend is a nasty piece of work.

What does Piece of Cake meaning?

something easily done
: something easily done : cinch, breeze.

Why shouldn’t you look a horse in the eye?

Never look a horse in the eye
You’re only a predator if you intend to eat what you’re looking at. Horses can easily tell the difference between a predator looking to eat and predator looking in curiosity and wonder. Horses do, however, struggle to understand the intention of a human who hides his eyes.

Why is it called seeing a man about a horse?

To see a man about a dog or horse or duck is an idiom, especially British, of apology for one’s imminent departure or absence, generally to euphemistically conceal one’s true purpose, such as going to use the toilet or going to buy a drink.

Where should you not look a gift horse?

Don’t question the value of a gift. The proverb refers to the practice of evaluating the age of a horse by looking at its teeth. This practice is also the source of the expression “long in the tooth,” meaning old.

What does put a cork in it mean?

someone to stop talking
chiefly US, informal. — used as a rude way to tell someone to stop talking and especially to stop complaining. Why don’t you put a cork in it!

What does put a fork in it mean?

(idiomatic, informal) Used to indicate that something or someone is finished, or, in a broader sense, defeated or ruined. I’d play the last level with you, but I’m out of lives. Stick a fork in me!