Why Is It Hold Your Horses?

Published by Clayton Newton on

Hold your horses” literally means to keep your horse(s) still, not to be confused with holding them in a stable. Someone is to slow down when going too fast, or to wait a moment, or to be more careful, or to be patient before acting.

Why is the saying hold your horses?

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.

Is hold your horses rude?

Today, if someone acts better than everyone else, you might tell him to “get off your high horse.” And if someone is pushing you to do something, you can say, “Hold your horses!” This is a very informal way to tell someone to calm down and wait. You would not use it with your boss but you could use it with children.

What is an example of hold your horses?

The meaning of ‘Hold Your Horses’ is to be patient, wait. It can be used when someone is asking you, or putting pressure on you, to do something. Example of use: “Hold your horses sir, can’t you see that we haven’t finished here?!?!”

When did the phrase hold your horses come from?

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. During the noise of battle, a Roman soldier would hold his horses.

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.

What is the most Southern thing to say?

We chose 15 of the most ridiculous Southern sayings — and tried to explain them.

  1. “We’re living in high cotton.”
  2. “She was madder than a wet hen.”
  3. “He could eat corn through a picket fence.”
  4. “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”
  5. “You look rode hard and put up wet.”
  6. “He’s as drunk as Cooter Brown.”

What does dead pig in the sunshine mean?

7. “She’s as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.” When a pig dies, presumably in a sty outside, the sun dries out its skin. This effect pulls the pig’s lips back to reveal a toothy “grin,” making it look happy even though it’s dead. This phrase describes a person who’s blissfully ignorant of reality.

How do Southerners say hello?

Howdy. This is a Southern way to say hello. Howdy!

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.

Is it OK to kiss a horse?

A UK veterinarian is warning about the dangers of kissing horses because a number of infections including MRSA, ringworm, salmonella and Clostridium difficile can infect both people and horses. “Highly antibiotic-resistant MRSA bacteria are a big worry as the prevalence in the human population is increasing.

Where should you not touch a horse?

Be sure to stay away from the sensitive areas of the horse like the eyes, ears, muzzle, and belly of the horse. While some horses might be OK with you petting these areas, many are sensitive and won’t like to be touched there.

What does the idiom hold your horses mean for kids?

‘ Hold your horses: 1) slow down; 2) wait a moment; 3) be patient. Notes: The origin of this idiom comes from riding horses or driving horse-drawn carriages.

What does cat has your tongue mean?

unusually quiet
informal. used to ask someone why he or she is not saying anything. “You’ve been unusually quiet tonight,” she said. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

What is the meaning of beating a dead horse?

to waste time and effort
chiefly US, informal. : to keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided. I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but I still don’t understand what happened. : to waste time and effort trying to do something that is impossible.

Where did the saying hold on come from?

Hold on is early 13c. as “to maintain one’s course,” 1830 as “to keep one’s grip on something,” 1846 as an order to wait or stop.

What does the saying When Pigs Fly mean?

that something will never happen
US, informal. used to say that one thinks that something will never happen. The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

Where did the saying hold your water come from?

The phrase derives from a military saying going back before Shakespeare’s day: The covenant of blood (forged by standing with your fellows in battle) is thicker than that of water (connections of birth.)

How do you say hello to a horse?

The most basic equine exercise is to connect with an untethered horse in a paddock. An Equest facilitator explained that the proper way to say hello to a horse is by gently extending your closed hand. The horse returns the greeting by touching your hand with its muzzle. Simple enough.

How do you remember the death of a horse?

As much as we grieve when a loved one dies, we grieve as much when your horse dies, too.
Four Ways To Memorialize Your Horse

  1. Create a fund in their name to honor the life of your horse.
  2. Be closer to your horse by volunteering for a charity or association that is connected to them.
  3. Go digital with your memories.

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Categories: Horse