A Man about a Horse

Thu Feb 22 22:43:21 UTC 2001

I always understood it to mean "I have to go engage in a secretive, possibly
shady deal" as referencing "horse trading".  Maybe it became jocularly
associated with gift-shopping because of the secretive connotation.  (Hence
also them that use it to refer to the bathroom break and/or even just
leaving... just a joke, ma'am....)
>>
Is anyone familiar with the expression "I have to see a man about a
horse," meaning "I have to shop for a gift, but I can't tell you that
because the gift is for you"? It was common in my family, but I haven't
found a single non-relative who understands it. Thanks so much.
>>