...is that a Greek metaphor, what is the origins of this phrase?
2006-08-23 08:24:17 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The saying goes "don't look a gift horse in the mouth". This is because you can tell a horse's age by the appearance of its teeth (like you can tell the age of a tree by the rings in its trunk), so looking it in the mouth would be an insult to the person giving it to you, because you're basically accusing him/her of giving you the proverbial old gray mare who ain't what she used to be.
The other proverb you're thinking of is "beware of Greeks bearing gifts", which goes back to the Trojan horse.
2006-08-23 08:25:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.'
It comes from the fact that you can tell a horses age by the size of it's teeth which was, in olden times, the accepted way to judge how old it was. This was always done when buying a horse but the proverb is telling you not to do this if the horse is a gift as it would be an insult to the giver. Thus the meaning is that if someone gives you a gift accept it with good grace and be grateful rather than examining it for imperfections or flaws.
2006-08-23 08:53:20 · answer #2 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The familiar old phrase "Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth" refers to the practice of horse traders determining the age of a horse by its anterior teeth, or incisors. The incisors erupt and wear down according to a fairly consistent schedule through the life of the horse. As the incisors wear down, the chewing surface changes in appearance, exposing more and more of the infundibulum, a natural concavity in the anterior teeth.
By looking at the lower incisors to see which permanent teeth have erupted and considering their stage of wear, knowledgeable horse traders can estimate the age of the horse. Since older horses are less useful for heavy work, determining the age helps to evaluate a horse’s worth. Hence, looking a gift horse in the mouth is the equivalent of asking someone how much they paid for a gift they have just given you and then complaining that it was not expensive enough.
2006-08-23 08:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by mistress_piper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Don't look a Gift Horse in the Mouth" means: Do not be UNGRATEFUL!
When a gift is given it is RUDE and in poor taste to open the horses mouth and judge it worth; by looking at the age and condition of the teeth.
2006-08-23 08:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Aunt Susan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I've heard don't stare a gift horse in the mouth, though...I'm not sure of the origins, sorry.
2006-08-23 09:42:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth': Horse dealing: Apparently you can tell the age of a horse from the state of its ground teeth. If you are paying for it, examine its teeth by all means, but if you are getting it for nothing, don't do it.........
You are confusing this saying with: 'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts': which refers to Helen of Troy and the Wooden Horse.....
2006-08-23 08:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I only find with mouth not face. (look a gift horse in the mouth Informal
To be critical or suspicious of something one has received without expense.)
2006-08-23 09:42:21 · answer #7 · answered by none 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. ...in the mouth, yes. Refers to calculating the age of a horse, and, therefore, do not be too picky if receiving a gift one.
2006-08-23 08:32:14 · answer #8 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are buying a horse, you want to check it out completely, including its mouth and teeth (sort of like looking under the hood).
But if it's a gift, that is kind of rude.
So the meaning is when you get a gift, just be grateful and say thanks. Don't be critical of it.
2006-08-23 08:27:16 · answer #9 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I thought it was "in the mouth" not "in the face"
2006-08-23 08:25:21 · answer #10 · answered by Amy P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋