Why is it called a dark horse?

Asked by: Brittany Petersen

Origin. The term began as horse racing parlance for a race horse that is unknown to gamblers and thus difficult to place betting odds on. The first known mention of the concept is in Benjamin Disraeli’s novel The Young Duke (1831).

What does dark horse actually mean?

Definition of dark horse
1a : a usually little known contender (such as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing. b : an entrant in a contest that is judged unlikely to succeed. 2 : a political candidate unexpectedly nominated usually as a compromise between factions.

Is dark horse an insult?

If you describe someone as a dark horse, you mean that people know very little about them, although they may have recently had success or may be about to have success.

Is being called a dark horse a compliment?

If you describe someone as a dark horse, you mean that people know very little about them, although they may have recently had success or may be about to have success.

Is dark horse same as underdog?

A dark horse in sports is an unknown team, or a team with unknown strengths that goes on to surprise people by winning or doing better than everyone expected. Both of these expressions are used to talk about people in general. Underdogs are the people in society that nobody expects to be successful.

What does dark horse mean in the Bible?

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The first horseman, a conqueror with a bow and crown, rides a white horse, which scholars sometimes interpret to symbolize Christ or the Antichrist; the second horseman is given a great sword and rides a red horse, symbolizing war and bloodshed; the third carries a balance scale, rides a black horse, and symbolizes …

What does I’m coming at you like a dark horse mean?

To come at someone = To approach someone aggressively. “Because I’m coming at you like a dark horse” is not standard English, is not a standard idiom, and is a misuse of “dark horse”. A “dark horse” is an idiom. It is a horse-racing term and refers to a horse in a race about which very little is known.

What is the meaning of a white horse?

The white horse has been an important symbol in mythology and religion for centuries. It is known to symbolize purity, heroism, enlightenment, triumph of good over evil and serves as a holy animal for the Christian religion.

What is the meaning of under dog?

Definition of underdog
1 : a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest. 2 : a victim of injustice or persecution.

Where did the saying underdog come from?

This word was originally used in dogfighting around 1887, to refer to a dog defeated in a fight. A 1960s cartoon character named Underdog was an unlikely (and under-qualified) superhero dog. The show’s tagline was “There’s no need to fear! Underdog is here!”

What does dark horse mean in football?

Rich: Let’s start with the meaning of dark horse that is often used in football and in other competitions and races. Jack: A dark horse is a person or team that is taking part in a competition who surprises everyone by winning. Rich: When Leicester City won the Premier League a few seasons ago they were dark horses.

What is a dark horse in politics?

In horse racing, a “dark horse” is a horse that wins a race when no one expects it to. As the surprise Democratic nominee, Polk was first “dark horse” candidate for the presidency. News of his nomination was spread to Washington by the first Morse telegraph line, which was only a few days old at the time.

What does the phrase black sheep mean?

Definition of black sheep
: a disfavored or disreputable member of a group.