Straight from The Horse's Mouth

Previous Page

Straight from The Horse's Mouth : Phrases

Meaning:

From the highest authority.


Example:







Origin:

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 Manitoba Morning Free Press, January 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."

Phrases Index

From Straight to HOME PAGE

Follow These Links!