Etymology
1. O.E.
hors, from P.Gmc.
*khursa- (cf. O.N.
hross, O.Fris.
hors, M.Du.
ors, Du.
ros, O.H.G.
hros, Ger.
Roß "horse"), of unknown origin, connected by some with PIE base
*kurs-, source of L.
currere "to run" (see current). Replaced O.E.
eoh, from PIE
*ekwo- "horse" (cf. Gk.
hippos, L.
equus, O.Ir.
ech, Goth.
aihwa-, Skt.
açva-, all meaning "horse"). In many other languages, as in O.E., this root has been lost in favor of synonyms, probably via superstitious taboo on uttering the name of an animal so important in I.E. religion. Used since at least 1391 of various devices or appliances which suggest a horse (e.g.
sawhorse). Slang for
heroin is first attested 1950.
Horseplay is from 1589. The belief that finding a horseshoe by chance is lucky is attested from late 14c.
Horse latitudes first attested 1777, the name of unknown origin, despite much speculation.
Dead horse as a figure for "something that has ceased to be useful" is attested from 1638.
High horse originally (c.1380) was "war horse, charger;" fig. sense in
mount (one's) high horse "affect airs of superiority" is from 1782.
The horse's mouth as a source of reliable information is from 1928, perhaps from the fact that a horse's age can be determined accurately by looking at its teeth. To
swap horses while crossing the river (a bad idea) is first attested 1864 in writings of Abraham Lincoln.
Horse sense is 1870, Amer.Eng. colloquial, probably from the same association of "strong, large, coarse" found in
horseradish.
2. From Middle English horsen, from Old English horsian (“to horse, provide with horses”) and ġehorsian (“to horse, set or mount on a horse, supply with horses”), from the noun (see above). See: Middle English '
horsen', Old English '
horsian'.
Verbs referencing "horse"
Latin
curro.