Good common sense. The origin of this Americanism is a matter of dispute, since there is considerable disagreement concerning the native intelligence of horses. Some think they are rather stupid animals, although it is generally conceded that they have enough sense to return to their barn whenever they have a chance. Others believe the shrewdness denoted by horse sense is possessed principally by horse traders, who are well known for that quality. In any event, the term originated in the first half of the nineteenth century in the American West and was still considered relatively new in 1870, when it was defined in an issue of The Nation, although it had appeared in print a number of times from 1833 on.
Comedian W. C. Fields supposedly said, “Horse sense is a good judgment that keeps horses from betting on people.”
Related Terms & Synonyms
- Common sense: Plain practical judgment, often gained through life experience.
- Savvy: Shrewdness and practical knowledge; the ability to make sound decisions.
- Street smarts: Know-how and resourcefulness gleaned from urban life.
Antonyms
- Ignorance: Lack of knowledge or information.
- Foolishness: Lack of good sense or judgment.
- Naivety: Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
Similar Phrases & Expressions
- Plain as day: Completely understandable or clear.
- Knows the ropes: Fully understands the complexities of a task or situation.
- Lays it out bare: Describes something clearly and transparently.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
- “Why is there never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over?” — Unknown
- “By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” — Eliezer Yudkowsky, which leads us to, Do Artificial Horses Have Artificial Horse Sense? 🐴🤔
Proverbs
- “A good mind possesses a kingdom.” — Seneca
- “Wisdom is better than strength.” — Ecclesiastes 9:16
Suggested Literature & Movies
- Books:
- Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen — demonstrating the timeless struggle between emotion and practicality.
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain — where horse sense and practicality are part of everyday life.
- Movies:
- Forrest Gump — a journey with a protagonist who often displays more horse sense than expected.
- The Pursuit of Happyness — where common sense and perseverance meet.
And thus, we bid farewell with a nugget of wisdom from the equine world—true intelligence lies not in the grandeur of thought but in the simplicity of practical wisdom. Goes to show, sometimes navigating life just requires a bit of horse sense.
