barnum and bailey

Hold your horses, the elephants are coming

@JudyEv (382019)

Rockingham, Australia

October 2, 2024 8:41am CST

The photo is of two seagulls enjoying our sunny weather. It has nothing to do with the text. I’ve just finished reading an autobiography written by Fred Bradna who was equestrian director with Barnum and Bailey circus from 1913-1918 and then with Ringling Bros. circus from 1919 to 1946. One of the chapters was entitled "Hold your horses, the elephants are coming”. The phrase ‘hold your horses’ usually means don’t rush into making decisions or taking action about whatever. In the years when Bradna was with the circus, much of the public travelled in horse-drawn conveyances. When first confronted with elephants, the risk of horses bolting was quite high. Because of this risk, a rider would precede the circus procession warning people to ‘hold their horses’. Just another bit of trivia that you might not have known.

15 people like this

16 responses

@nela13 (59367)

• Portugal

2 Oct 24

That is an interesting expression, I might start to use it.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238298)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Oct 24

I say "Hold your horses!" around littlies. But I never knew where it came from. Recent American politics have shown us that "There's a sucker born every minute."

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

We hear it here quite often.

1 person likes this

@nela13 (59367)

• Portugal

2 Oct 24

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@snowy22315 (208846)

• United States

2 Oct 24

It is always fun to discover how idioms came into being.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238298)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Oct 24

I've been think of doing post about idioms. But I suppose I should look up idioms versus sayings versus aphorisms etc. I think I'll get such a post done. But I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch! And better to take my time and do the research. A stitch in time saves nine! Did I get that right?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

Some have some very interesting origins.

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

@TheHorse I'll look forward to your post. I've done a few in my time here but there is always room for one more.

@rebelann (117220)

• El Paso, Texas

9 Oct 24

I had never heard that before, I'd never thought about 'hold your horses' or what it actually meant so Thank you for that. I am surprised I haven't seen your discussions on the few times I've logged into mylot so now I'm backtracking.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@rebelann (117220)

• El Paso, Texas

9 Oct 24

I think of things to say then get sidetracked by something that's actually important and end up forgetting what I'd intended to write about.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Oct 24

@rebelann I try to jot down a few words in Word (where I write my posts) as a reminder but it doesn't always work.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Oct 24

I sometimes miss a day or two but when I'm able I try to post perhaps twice a day. But I like to have something to say.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@LadyDuck (502392)

• Italy

3 Oct 24

Thank you, this is interesting, I never knew the origin of this phrase.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (502392)

• Italy

4 Oct 24

@JudyEv Yes, absolutely.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

It makes sense once you hear it.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Marilynda1225 (91069)

• United States

2 Oct 24

I'm familiar with the phrase but didn't know when or how it came into existence. Funny how things we say now date back to the past and how they came about..

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238298)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Oct 24

I always wonder how far back the go. As Trump is learning, the chickens always come home to roost.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

From what I read, this would also be said if a motor-car was heard approaching.

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

@TheHorse It's funny how phrases become part of the language too.

@dgobucks226 (37621)

•

5 Oct 24

Interesting. Or whoa might have worked too.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Oct 24

If horses get really frightened, they don't take a lot of notice of whoa.

1 person likes this

@dgobucks226 (37621)

•

5 Oct 24

@JudyEv Yes, a good grab of the reins would be a better idea.

1 person likes this

@AmbiePam (120692)

• United States

16 Oct 24

Very fitting, isn’t it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

16 Oct 24

It makes a lot of sense once you know the origin.

1 person likes this

@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

3 Oct 24

Now I knew the expression Judy thanks for the explanation.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

It was a very interesting book and gave a lot of details about circus life.

@wolfgirl569 (135690)

• Marion, Ohio

2 Oct 24

Never knew how it got started

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

I didn't either so it was a bit like a penny dropping.

1 person likes this

@rakski (156373)

• Philippines

2 Oct 24

Yes, it means to wait or be patient

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

I've heard it used here quite often.

1 person likes this

@rakski (156373)

• Philippines

3 Oct 24

@JudyEv yes, it is quite famous

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (97991)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

2 Oct 24

That is interesting, I have seen photos of elephants used to help put up the main large circus tent, I have the pleasure of see a Barnum and Bailey Circus in NYC with my mom and a best friend many moons ago, It was at Madison Square Garden so the acrobats seemed to be twirling in the sky and you had to tilt your head way back to even see them, I also remember the parade of elephants, Right now they have set up elephant statues in the Meat Packing district in NYC,

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

Some of their circus parades were two miles long. That's a VERY long parade. The book details some of the aerial acts too.

1 person likes this

@xFiacre (14805)

• Ireland

2 Oct 24

@judyev It seems that behind every daft saying lies logic.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

Yes, there is always an origin to these things.

@LindaOHio (222310)

• United States

3 Oct 24

I didn't know that. I read a book about Barnum which was very interesting. Have a good day.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

I love books about the circus.

1 person likes this

@somewitch (1470)

•

3 Oct 24

I still remember when I was told this phrase the first time. Just the horses, not the elephants.

It left me a bit confused as I had no intention of "charging", but eventually I realized they just meant "relax".

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

Some idioms can be hard to understand sometimes.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238298)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Oct 24

Well Boy Howdy! I had not known where that expression came from.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

It's makes a lot of sense once you know. lol

@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

2 Oct 24

Thei phase is new to me. I've learned something. Thank you.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 24

We hear this in Australia quite often but I never knew how it started.

1 person likes this