   Long in the Tooth"Long in the tooth" means getting old or showing signs of age. In Appalachian and Southern speech, it’s often used in a joking way, but the phrase has roots in horse-trading, where age was judged by looking at a horse’s teeth. Hillbilly Dude Says...  Be honest with you... whenever I use 'long in the tooth,' I always think of that rat in 'Fantastic Mr. Fox.' But I do hear it around here. Pronunciation[lawng in thuh TOOTH] Meaning & Usage- Growing old (idiom)
Mae:
Think he’ll make the trip?
Earl:
He’s a bit long in the tooth, but he’ll go.- Worn or outdated (figurative use)
Mae:
That truck still run?
Earl:
Yep, but it’s gettin’ mighty long in the tooth.other spellings: gettin’ long in the tooth ★ This phrase can be playful when used on people, or practical when used on things (like trucks or tools). It’s rarely meant to insult - just to note age or wear. ★ OriginThe phrase comes from horse-trading: as horses age, their gums recede and their teeth appear longer. Traders used this to judge a horse’s age. From there, it spread into English speech. Rural areas, especially in the South and Appalachia, kept the saying alive in everyday talk. NotesNow common nationwide, not just in the South. But it carries a rural, horse-country flavor and still pops up in Southern and Appalachian storytelling and humor. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "long in the tooth." Drawn out in country talk: "long in th’ tooth." | 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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