Information from a reliable source is said to come from where?

The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" means getting information directly from the most reliable source.

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, that is, stable lads, trainers etc. The notional 'from the horse's mouth' is supposed to indicate one step better than even that inner circle, that is, 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 horse-racing 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.".

More Info: www.phrases.org.uk

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

39 Comments

mmariano

Thanks for the significant information, it is knowledge-enhancing. I always love reading this column. Thank you so much.

TRBEJPJD

Actually you're wrong horse Traders have always been notorious for lying about their horses subsequently if you look into a horse's mouth you can tell his age and the general health condition of the horse so the phrase straight from the horse's mouth is a term that means contrary to what people might say about the horse the truth comes from the horse's mouth

Carroll Price

Also, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

carens

10/10 - interesting quiz. 🌺

Yevette Allen

Got it

philly

It says I got 2 wrong right from the get go? What were the first 2 questions??

Gonda Visser

Next question seems to be a problem, nothing moves, this happens a lot!

dlh

Got it. Have always heard the phrase but never knew it’s origins.

Chris Braun

Kinda cool how that got its origin

edward bernhardt

Well thats a horse of a different color.

John McManus

To quote the old song-"The owner told Horace the clocker, the clocker told jockey Magee.The jockey of course, passed it on to the horse-AND THE HORSE TOLD ME!