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I have a question. Can anyone tell me what the
phrase "have time by the fetlock" might mean?
I've looked up fetlock, the ankle of a horse, but can find
no reference to what "time" has to do with it.
Thanks.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Hmm--I've not heard this one before, but 'by the fetlock' makes me think of 'by the short hairs'; in other words, the grabbee cannot move.
Hmm again--that really doesn't make sense, unless you're talking about making time stand still, which of course can't be done.
The only other interpretation I can think of is along the lines of having a lot of something, as in, "Oh, I have books by the truckload". But 'by the fetlock' wouldn't make sense in that way either: even just one horse only has four fetlocks. [shrug]
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Carpal Tunnel
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I think what's probly meant here is something like, "seize time by the forelock." (see Google[books] for examples.)
Last edited by tsuwm; 12/31/10 01:38 AM.
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I received an email from a friend, and this is what
it said about "fetlock"....
Oh, one more question, since I have you on the line. What is the meaning of the old expression, "Taking time by the fetlock?" It is used a few times in Little Women, I looked it up but I don't quite get it. Can you help?
"Little Women" is Louisa May Alcott, if I remember correctly.
I've looked up fetlock on every site I can think of, and
all I get is references to horse ankles. I thought it
might be something like 'carpe diem' but that makes little
sense. "Up the the fetlocks" is used by Shakespeare, in
"blood and gore" in some play with war. But taking time
by the fetlock seems to make little sense.
Last edited by LukeJavan8; 12/31/10 03:34 AM.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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I think what's probly meant here is something like, "seize time by the forelock." (see Google[books] for examples.) this is pretty interesting.. according to OED, time[25] Personified as an aged man, bald, but having a forelock, and carrying a scythe and an hour-glass. Also called Father Time. to take Time by the forelock (†by the top), to seize one's opportunity, to act promptly1595 Spenser Amoretti "The joyous time wil not be staid Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take.." 1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians I took time by the fore-lock. a common expression of old, then, twisted by Alcott (and followed by others) ""It was hard work, but between us, we talked her over, for we had heaps of good reasons on our side. There wasn't time to write and ask leave, but you all liked it, had consented to it by-and-by, and it was only `taking time by the fetlock', as my wife says."" - L. M. Alcott, Little Women (1868) "'Take time by the fetlock,' as one of the girls says in 'Little Women,'" laughed Roger. "If you'll cast your orbs out of the window you'll see that it has almost stopped." - Mabell S.C. Smith, Ethel Morton's Enterprise (2004)
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Interesting, indeed. Thanks for the research.
I shall send this to my friend. Appreciative.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Pooh-Bah
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It must have been a favourite saying of Louisa May Alcott's..she used it a few times in her stories.
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I've read her works, but just must have skipped the phrase.
Never paid attention to it. A friend asked and I could
not find it, so I posted it here.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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It must have been a favourite saying of Louisa May Alcott's..she used it a few times in her stories.
I've taken time by the forelock and fired off a query to the LMASociety...
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In the meantime....If you can't take him by the fetlock take him by the robe. Happy New Year 
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