Mike Clinton
The Origin of a Classic Phrase
Hold your horses! We have all heard this classic phrase, but do we really know its origin? Well, the phrase actually has roots dating back to the ancient Greek era, where cavalrymen would use it to calm their horses before charging into battle. The phrase was then adopted by the British army, who used it to instruct their troops to wait for orders before advancing.
The phrase then made its way across the pond to America, where it became a common expression used by cowboys. In fact, it was so popular amongst cowboys that it even became a name for a popular rodeo event, where riders must stay on a bucking horse for as long as possible. Today, the phrase has become a part of our everyday vocabulary, used to tell someone to slow down or wait a minute.
So the next time you hear someone say "hold your horses," know that it has a rich history dating back to ancient times.
Galloping Through the History of "Hold Your Horses"
The phrase "hold your horses" may have a long history, but it has also been used in popular culture throughout the years. The phrase was used in the 1939 film "Gone with the Wind," where Scarlett O’Hara’s father tells her to "hold your horses" when she is impatient to get married.
In the 1980s, the phrase became the title of a hit country song by the band "The Bellamy Brothers." The song was about taking things slow and not rushing into love, with the chorus repeating the famous phrase.
Even today, the phrase is still being used in pop culture. In the hit TV show "The Mandalorian," the character Greef Karga tells the show’s protagonist to "hold your horses" when he is eager to get going on a mission.
So, whether it’s in ancient Greece or on the big screen, "hold your horses" is a phrase that has stood the test of time and continues to be a part of our language today.