A Book Review...Authors Bill Tivenan and Cassandra Cook share over 60 illustrated examples of popular phrases that trace their roots to horse racing.
A horse of a different color, by a nose, chomping at the bit, dead heat, down to the wire, on the fast track, horses for courses, jockeying for position, true to form, under the wire... the list of common phrases that had their origins in horse racing is practically endless! To someone who finds language infinitely intriguing and amusing, particularly horse racing jargon, this book makes a fun and enlightening read.
The phrase "long in the tooth," for example, was originally used to describe an aging horse. The teeth of horses continue to grow as they age, and their gums also recede -- making their teeth appear longer and more prominent the older they get. The phrase is now commonly used to describe someone who is getting on in age.
Off to a Flying Start shows how the language of everyday life (and especially politics) has been influenced by life at the track. Lots of fun illustrations make this a great book for summer reading and sharing.
You can find it on sale now at Off to a Flying Start Press and Amazon.
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2 comments:
I am a writer and horse racing enthusiast. I also appreciate humor and Off to a Flying Start sounds like a fun book. Of course everyone has heard these sayings but it's always interesting to know where and how they originated.
How fun!!! I will have to get one!
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