please include web sources
2007-03-23 06:09:52 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The first recorded use of the expression is by British politician and orator John Bright, referring to the Reform Bill of 1867, which called for more democratic representation in Parliament, and which Parliament was singularly apathetic about. Trying to rouse Parliament from its apathy on the issue, he said in a speech, would be like trying to 'flog a dead horse' to make it pull a load.
2007-03-23 06:24:25 · answer #1 · answered by drkzwrt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beating A Dead Horse ( forcing an issue that is already closed ... )
"beating a dead horse"
You are beating a dead horse when you insist on talking about something that cannot be changed. Example: "I'd like to talk with you again about what happened." Reply: "Oh, come on. Let's not beat a dead horse."
Beating a dead horse is an action that has no purpose, because no matter how hard or how long you beat a dead horse, it is not going to get up and run. Example: "Let's not talk about it any more. Okay?" Reply: "You're right. We're just beating a dead horse."
To repeatedly bring up a particular topic with no chance of affecting the outcome is beating a dead horse. Example: "Dad, are you sure we can't get a new computer for the upstairs?" Reply: "Son, we talked about this and the decision was 'no'. You are beating a dead horse."
The first recorded use of the expression is by British politician and orator John Bright, referring to the Reform Bill of 1867, which called for more democratic representation in Parliament, and which Parliament was singularly apathetic about. Trying to rouse Parliament from its apathy on the issue, he said in a speech, would be like trying to 'flog a dead horse' to make it pull a load.
2007-03-23 06:29:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Beating Dead Horse
2016-12-11 06:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by quartermon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
"Flogging a dead horse." Attempting to revive a question already settled. John Bright used the phrase in the House of Commons. Bright said that Earl Russell’s “Reform Bill” was a “dead horse,” and every attempt to create any enthusiasm in its favour was like “flogging the dead horse.”
"Working for a dead horse." Working for wages already paid.
2007-03-23 06:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beating a dead horse is a useless action. To get a horse to move or perform the horse would be beaten or whipped. If a horse is dead no matter how much you beat it, it is not going to move. So, You're beating a dead horse means that you are going to get anywhere.
2007-03-23 06:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by Tony L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
origin phrase beat dead horse
2016-01-29 06:48:23 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The expression is apparently a variation of one coined by an English politician in a speech in 1867 ... See the link below.
2007-03-23 06:21:08 · answer #7 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
what's the origin of the phrase "don't beat a dead horse"?
please include web sources
2015-08-06 21:26:22 · answer #8 · answered by Jada 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋