I thought it was *flag*
Posted by Brian from Shawnee on October 14, 2004
In Reply to: Like a red rag to a bull posted by David FG on October 14, 2004
: : : : Where does the saying 'like a red rag to a bull' come from?
: : : The color red is supposed to enrage bulls. Actually it's probably the waving of the rag that attracts the bull's attention. I believe a bull is suppose to be color blind. Anyone know?
: : I heard that too. The capes that matadors use in bullfighting are red and that's where the phrase comes from.
: Bulls are certainly colour blind - which can be seen from the structure of their eyes, it is not merely a guess. It is the flapping movement which would attract a bull's attention (though in bull fighting, having had the 'pics' stuck into its shoulders first probably don't improve its temper very much either!)
I thought it was "like a red *flag* to a bull". I'd never heard the word "rag" used in this phrase.
- I thought it was *flag* James Briggs 14/October/04
- I thought it was *flag* Brian from Shawnee 14/October/04
- I thought it was *flag* SR 14/October/04
- I thought it was *flag* Brian from Shawnee 14/October/04