The More You Know

Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth

Its one of those string of words we just throw around. Honestly though, ask ten random people what it means and they can, if but roughly, tell you what the general concept is. On a remote chance asking the same ten random people where the saying comes from or what its literal backing is and one might know.

So, where did it come from? It turns out it was said by St. Jerome somewhere around 400 A.D. St. Jerome gave away his writings for free. When critics commented over the value of his writing he is quote to have said in response, “Never inspect the teeth of a gift horse.” Thus was born the popular conceptual use of the term. Over the years it mutated and is now know by the common phrase we all know today.

During the living era of St. Jerome, horses were a valuable commodity. They were a work animal and a form of transportation. Horses were appraised by many factors including age. The age of a horse can be estimated by the condition of its teeth. Thus, when a family or neighbor gave you a horse for free, it would be considered bad form to inspect the teeth. The horse is only a symbol of compassionate thought and should not be viewed purely for its value.