I’m Going to See a Man About a Horse (Dog, Duck) Meaning

This humorously euphemistic idiom dates from the mid-1800s. It is not heard as much today but is still a funny way to announce one’s departure while concealing the true reason for leaving.

Meaning Of Idiom ‘I’m Going To See a Man About a Horse’

I’m going to see a man about a horse is a saying used to excuse oneself from a conversation, visit, or gathering while concealing one’s true reason for departing. Often, the reason is to go to the bathroom but the phrase can be used for any private matter. It is also popular to use when one gets up to order a drink in a bar.

While the phrase is popular for announcing short absences, when one intends to be gone for a while but is coming back, it can be used for any departure.

It is often claimed that this idiom is used exclusively to mean that one does not want to reveal their reason for departure but it is just as frequently used merely for humor when it is not deemed necessary to say the real reason one is leaving, or when leaving for no particular reason.

“I’m going to see a man about a horse” might also be used to avoid a conversation, or to escape an uncomfortable situation or encounter.

Dogs, ducks, and other animals are used, with dog being the most popular besides horse.

Sometimes, to heighten the humor, the order of the words is reversed, e.g. “I’m going to see a dog about a man.”

Sentence Examples

“See ya in a few, I need to go see a man about a horse.”

“Excuse me, I’m going to go see a man about a dog.”

“Gotta go see a man about a horse. Be back in a little while.”

“Well, it’s getting late and I have to go see a man about a horse.”

“Sorry, I can’t talk now. I’ve gotta see a man about a dog.”

Origin

The first known appearance of the idiom in print appeared in Dion Boucicault’s play “The Flying Scud” or “A Four-Legged Fortune”, from 1866. In the play, the dog version was used in Act 4, Scene 1:

Quail: I have just heard that the bill I discounted for you bearing Lord Woodbie’s name, is a forgery. I give you twelve hours to find the money, and provide for it.

Mo: [Looking at watch] Excuse me, Mr. Quail, I can’t stop; I’ve got to see a man about a dog. I forgot all about it till just now.

The most popular interpretation of the idiom’s origin is that it announced one’s intention to go place a bet on a horse or dog. However, other explanations are possible.

The phrase was often used to announce one’s need to pee or defecate. It is claimed that taverns or inns usually placed their stables out back or at the side of the building. Since this is also where people would go to urinate, they would say “I’m going to see a man about a horse,” alluding to where the horses were kept.

This latter explanation is not as convincing as the former, as there is no reason for seeing a ‘man’ about a ‘horse’ if you only intend to visit the vicinity of the horses to do business that need not involve another man. On the other hand, to place a bet on a racing horse or dog, you have to literally see a man to discuss business regarding a horse or dog (i.e. place a bet).

It is unclear which version, horse or dog, is the earliest, although the earliest known use is in Flying Scud, where the dog version is used. However, greyhound racing did not originate until around 1919, whereas horses have been raced for centuries. This suggests that if the betting origin is true, horses are more likely to have been used in the saying originally.