Where did the phrase 'never look a gift horse in the mouth' originate?

Answer 1

In days of yore, in the American colonies, when horses were sold, the buyers, if smart, would open the horse's mouth and check the condition of its teeth to determine if the seller was being truthful about its age. But when a horse was a gift, it was of course considered impolite to check out the correct age of the gift, as if to imply the giver was somehow not as generous as he was pretending.
Thus when referring to the proper way to express gratitude for favors, the phrase "never look a gift horse in the mouth" caught on as an amusing and appropriate description of the recommended behavior.

Answer 2

Hi As a horse ages it's teeth wear. On older horse has worn down teeth. The phrase means something like "We you get a diamond ring, don't pull out the jewelers magnifying glass." Accept a gift with grace.

Answer 3

All of the above answers are true, but the idea originated in ancient times with the Trojan Horse.

Answer 4

I think it comes from when wealthy land / property owners gave horses as gifts to other wealthy land ./ property owners in the olden days. And to check the healthy of a horse you would check their hooves, legs and their teeth, but it would be improper to check over a horse given as a gift in that manner (rather than one you were buying).

Answer 5

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