To " see a man about a horse " is a polite way of removing yourself from a social engagement without causing a fuss to the people around you. We've all had the experience of telling your friends it's time to go and their reaction of imploring you to stay. To see a man about a horse can apply to many situations, and it's also useful. Published by Jennifer Webster on November 28, 2022. Origin of See-a-man-about-a-horse The saying comes from the 1866 Dion Boucicault play, Flying Scud, in which a character knowingly breezes past a difficult situation saying, "Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can't stop; I've got to see a man about a dog.".
To See a Man About a Horse (Short 2007) IMDb
Definition of see a man about a horse in the Idioms Dictionary. see a man about a horse phrase. What does see a man about a horse expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Historically, the phrase "gotta see a man about a horse" was commonly used as a euphemism to discreetly indicate one's intention to use the bathroom. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, polite society frowned upon discussing bodily functions openly. People would often come up with clever and humorous ways to convey their needs without. Published by Jennifer Webster on November 29, 2022. 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. To see a man about a dog, horse or duck is an idiom, especially British English, 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 an alcoholic drink. The original non-facetious meaning was probably to place or settle a bet on a race.
see a man about a horse Painting by Mark Hobley Horse painting, Painting, Buy original art
A euphemism is a word or phrase that is used to indicate a concept that is embarrassing or otherwise too sensitive to refer to plainly and bluntly. The expression see a man about a dog was first used in the play The Flying Scud, which was written by Dion Boucicault in 1866. The phrase see a man about a horse came into use soon after as a variant. See-a-man-about-a-horse definition: (slang, idiomatic, euphemistic) A message signaling one needs to use the toilet. . What does seeing a man about a horse expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Seeing a man about a horse - Idioms by The Free Dictionary. I need to go see a man about a horse. Beth's dad is always "seeing a man about a horse." I think he needs some help because the family barely sees him anymore. See also: horse, man. Verb [ edit] see a man about a horse (third-person singular simple present sees a man about a horse, present participle seeing a man about a horse, simple past saw a man about a horse, past participle seen a man about a horse) ( idiomatic, euphemistic) Used in place of a real explanation when excusing oneself for a short period of time.
We always use the code "Going to see a man about a horse" then we go to the master bathroom and
What does sees a man about a horse expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Sees a man about a horse - Idioms by The Free Dictionary. I need to go see a man about a horse. Beth's dad is always "seeing a man about a horse." I think he needs some help because the family barely sees him anymore. See also: horse, man, see. The most common variation is to "see a man about a horse". Almost any noun can be substituted as a way of giving the hearer a hint about one's purpose in departing. The inversion to "see a dog about a man" eliminates any lingering uncertainty about whether the hearer is being put off. A shorter variant is to "see a man".
It means to politely excuse yourself from a situation to go to the restroom or buy a drink. It originated from men disappearing to go bet on horse or dog races. See a man about a dog means the same thing. Interesting. A variation: see a man about a horse. That form was used by a musician on a CD I own. The guy was leaving the stage to use drugs so I am guessing that the "horse" was h****n. Going to see a man about a horse OR a dog. David Jose 18/August/03;
1001plus Seeing a Man About a Horse
See a man about a horse and see a man about a dog are popular idiomatic phrases, used when one wants to end the conversation and leave, while concealing the true purpose of their departure. While both variations are mostly used to imply one is going to the toilet, "see a man about a horse" can also be a euphemism for illegal activity.. A little play on "horse" for h****n. When someone says that they are going to see a man about a dog they really mean that they are unwilling to reveal the true nature of their business. The expression comes from the long forgotten 1866 play Flying Scud in which one of the characters uses the words as an excuse to get away from a tricky situation.
