   Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth"Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth" means don’t question or criticize a gift. In Appalachian and Southern speech, it’s a reminder to be thankful for what’s given, not picky about its value. Hillbilly Dude Says...  Definitely 'don’t you look a gift horse in the mouth is common. Pronunciation[dohnt luk uh gift hors in thuh MOUTH] Meaning & Usage- To not find fault with a gift (proverb)
Mae:
That ham’s a little salty.
Earl:
Hush now, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.- To accept what’s given without complaint (figurative)
Mae:
This hammer’s rusty.
Earl:
Still works fine. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.other spellings: never look a gift horse in the mouth ★ This saying is about gratitude. It gently scolds someone for being ungrateful or too critical of a gift, especially when times are lean. ★ OriginThe proverb goes back to Latin ("don’t inspect the teeth of a given horse"), since a horse’s age and value are judged by its teeth. It spread into English by the 1500s and survived strongly in rural speech, especially in the South and Appalachia where horse talk was everyday life. NotesCommon worldwide, not only in the South, but it feels natural in Appalachian and Southern storytelling. The shorter "don’t" is more common in speech, while "never" often shows up in print. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "don’t look a gift horse in the mouth." Sometimes heard as "never look a gift horse in the mouth." | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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