Re: Baaaah...
really?
Posted by TheFallen on October 30,
2002 In Reply to: Re: Baaaah! posted by
R. Berg on October 30, 2002
: : : : : As some of you will know,
I have a site where I've posted origins of as many phrases as I can find. I get
regular questions from around the world, plus suggestions about origins - I've
posted some of these recently. I thought you would all be interested in the following
message that came today.
: : : : : "I came across your site while looking up
an expression that I heard this weekend at Churchill Downs in Louisville, USA.
On a behind-the-scenes tour of the track, our guide pointed out a goat tied to
a stable door next to a thoroughbred. She explained the goat was present as a
companion to an otherwise anxious horse visiting a new stable. She said the expression
"to get one's goat" derived from the dastardly practice of a rival trainer stealing
the opposing horse's goat and unnerving him before the big race. ....I thought
it was bunk, but decided to research it when I got home.
: : : : :
: :
: : : We only saw one goat out of a couple dozen stalls, but she seemed to think
it was not uncommon. Maybe there's something to it?....though it may well be predated
by (your suggestion of) the rival farmer's milk cow production. Just thought you'd
like to know. Thanks for an interesting site."
: : : : Wasn't there a sheep
in a similar role on the Sopranos a few weeks back?
: : : That explanation
of "get your goat" has turned up here before and been discounted. See http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/3/messages/432.html
(link below).
: : I guess that you think the 'offering' from the race track
is a wind up! I'm not so certain. I can see no good reason wht the fellow should
target 'little ol me' with spam. I prefer to believe that he saw what he said
he saw. Too trustworthy you say. Well maybe, but I always believe my patients/clients!
:
I don't doubt that he saw a goat in the stable or that the tour guide gave the
reported explanation of "get your goat." What I doubt is that the guide was necessarily
correct about the origin of the phrase.
: Yesterday I had visited some goats,
and the ones who said anything at all were saying "Baaaah!"
Is this another
example of US/UK differentiation? Our Brit goats say "maaaaah", and only our sheep
say "baaaah".
- Re: Baaaah... really? R. Berg
10/30/02 (0)
- Re: Quack Word Camel 10/30/02
(6)
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