Gregory's ServerWhy shouldn't you look a gift horse in the mouth? Is that what the Greeks told the Troyans?
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 @Gargron You can tell a lot about a horse's health by its teeth. If they're all worn down and broken, it's likely it was stressed and chewing on the metal bit used in harnesses (hence the expression "chomping at the bit"), and was not taken care of well. I'm sure there's like WAY more a horse expert could tell you, but I'm not one. :) If someone was giving you a free horse it was an expensive gift, no matter how bad a condition it was in, to be appreciated. @Gargron Probably, yes. When you see a horse's mouth you can determine it's age and how healthy it is, but if it's a gift, it really doesn't matter I guess 😬  @Gargron supongo que es por la frase en español "a caballo regalado no le mires el dentado". Significa que uno no debe buscar defectos en los regalos que recibe. @Gargron In Spanish, the saying goes something like: «To given horse, you don't see its fang» (a caballo regalado no se le ve colmillo.)   @Gargron enjoyed reading those (genuinely educational!) answers - all that and what you said, but with one change - look them in the eye and smile. Gratitude goes a long way, and it's something that (when genuine) we could all do with more of. Here's to gifts! |
@Gargron Technically it's because you can tell the age of a horse from its teeth. So if someone is giving you a horse, you probably shouldn't for the sake of not being rude, check in its mouth to see if it is a nag, at least not while the giver is present.