0
In horse racing circles tips on which horse is a likely winner circulate amongst punters. The most trusted authorities are considered to be those in closest touch with the recent form of the horse, i.e. stable lads, trainers etc. The notional 'from the horse's mouth' is supposed to indicate one step better than even that inner circle, i.e. the horse itself.
It is a 20th century phrase. The earliest printed version I can find of it is from the USA and clearly indicates the horseracing context - in the Syracuse Herald, May 1913:
"I got a tip yesterday, and if it wasn't straight from the horse's mouth it was jolly well the next thing to it."
This is not at all correct. In the past, a horses liniage was listed inside it's mouth. Tattoo'd if you will. Everybody tried to lie about a horses liniage, to get a better price. Once it became practice to put the info in the horses mouth, one couldn't get away with it anymore. So when asked about a horses liniage, one could say, " I got it from the horses mouth...". This is also the etomy of the phrase, " never look a gift(ed) horse in the mouth..." meant to mean, that you don't check the horses mouth for liniage, when someone gifts you a horse. This would be rude. Sorry, but the previous could not be more wrong.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What does the expression have your at your mouth mean?
kissing
What does don't look a gimped hourse in the mouth mean?
The expression is "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." People who buy and sell horses, can tell the age and health of a horse by examining the horse's mouth. However, if someone gives you a horse, you should not examine its mouth to determine its value, simply accept the gift. So the expression means, "If someone gives you a present, do not try to determine what it is worth. Just accept the gift and say, thank you."
Does hay for horses have anything to do with the expression Hey?
There is probably no connection to the expression HEY! and the feed for horses. The Hey is an exclamation or surprise expression.
What does healthy as a horse mean?
The phrase "healthy as a horse" means to be in excellent health or physically fit, typically used to describe someone who is robust and strong. This expression is drawn from the perception that horses are generally sturdy and resilient animals.
Can horses get scabby mouth?
It is a possibly, but there are no reported cases of it in horses.
What does the expression lame duck mean horses?
"Lame duck" refers to a horse that is injured or disabled in one or more legs, causing it to move awkwardly or with difficulty. This term is also used in politics to refer to an elected official who is still in office but has limited power because their successor has been elected.
What does bit in their mouth mean's?
A "bit" is a metal link across a horses mouth used when riding. The term normal means that someone has a grasp some information on something and is following it through
What bit is the least powerful in a horses mouth?
A plain snaffle or a happy mouth.
What does the phrase word of mouth mean?
Word of mouth is just and expression used to advertise or publicize something on a person to person basis. If something is traveling by word of mouth it typically means it is traveling like a wild fire, and that is fast.
What is a piece which goes into a horses mouth?
fod
What is the horses bit place called?
The part of the horse's mouth where the bit rests is called the bars. This is the area between the incisors and molars, where the bit applies pressure to communicate with the horse.
What body part do horses eat with?
Their mouth....
