Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
Never look a gift horse in the mouth; it's a popular saying, but what does it mean? What does a gift horse look like exactly, and why should we avoid looking it in the mouth? Perhaps it's a proverb about the importance of oral hygiene and the dangers of neglect?
In reality however, the old saying is a proverb about unusual gifts. Reportedly said by St. Jerome in 400 AD, this proverb relates to an earlier practice of judging the age of a horse by taking a good look at its teeth; an important practice given that quality of a horse's teeth is directly related to its age, and therefore value. Presumably then, anyone lucky enough to receive a horse should not go to the trouble of checking out the animal's teeth, and should instead simply enjoy the fact that they have received such a thoughtful gift.
Also known by his real name Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, St Jerome was a Christian apologist famous for his contributions to theology and history, in addition to his collection of profound quotes. Indeed, he is also reported to have urged individuals to “be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied”.
Whether or not this second quote retains any value in modern life is not certain; however, the warning against not looking a gift horse in the mouth is as relevant today as it was all those years ago. After all, no matter how unusual the gifts, shouldn't we always show the giver how much we appreciate their thought and the effort to make us happy? Although, it has to be said that the right unusual gifts will invariably always be a success.
But, what types of unusual gifts hit the right note? Well, ultimately it depends upon the type of person you're guying for, but when it comes to quirky individuals who like a bit of fun, one of the quirkiest unusual gifts available has to be the On a Roll – Crime Scene toilet roll. Made from quality toilet tissue, this roll is a fantastic gift for those with an excellent sense of humour. And while this particular unusual gift is probably not ideal for the ladies, there are a number of other designs available, including one covered in kisses, and another that features a picture of the Jolly Roger.
And for those who like their unusual gifts with a little bit of black magic, how about trying the Voodoo Gingerbread Set? Complete with a miniature rolling pin, not to mention a man-shaped biscuit cutter, a recipe card and voodoo instructions, the Voodoo Gingerbread Man is the perfect way to wreak revenge on any deserving man in a way that is not only safe, but is also pretty tasty. Similarly, the Ex-Husband Voodoo Doll could be an excellent treat for any wronged women. Complete with a set of ten needles, the Ex-Husband Voodoo Doll is a great way to get even! A version is also available for ex-wives.
Naturally, this type of voodoo bears no resemblance to the three religions known as Haitian Vodou, West African Vodun and Louisiana Voodoo; a religion that brought the whole phenomenon of voodoo dolls to public consciousness. In any case, the use of a voodoo doll for something akin to malicious witchcraft is reportedly somewhat of a misconception.
How about unusual gifts for animal lovers? What types of unusual gifts are ideally suited to the feline lovers amongst us? Instead of the usual collection of scratching posts, balls and catnip, why not treat the cat-lover of your group to a Control a Cat remote control? While this is possibly one of the most unusual gifts known to man, it could be the only way to make your cat reconsider its desire to rip your furniture to shreds without resorting to a garden hose. We can't guarantee your cat will listen though!
In reality however, the old saying is a proverb about unusual gifts. Reportedly said by St. Jerome in 400 AD, this proverb relates to an earlier practice of judging the age of a horse by taking a good look at its teeth; an important practice given that quality of a horse's teeth is directly related to its age, and therefore value. Presumably then, anyone lucky enough to receive a horse should not go to the trouble of checking out the animal's teeth, and should instead simply enjoy the fact that they have received such a thoughtful gift.
Also known by his real name Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, St Jerome was a Christian apologist famous for his contributions to theology and history, in addition to his collection of profound quotes. Indeed, he is also reported to have urged individuals to “be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied”.
Whether or not this second quote retains any value in modern life is not certain; however, the warning against not looking a gift horse in the mouth is as relevant today as it was all those years ago. After all, no matter how unusual the gifts, shouldn't we always show the giver how much we appreciate their thought and the effort to make us happy? Although, it has to be said that the right unusual gifts will invariably always be a success.
But, what types of unusual gifts hit the right note? Well, ultimately it depends upon the type of person you're guying for, but when it comes to quirky individuals who like a bit of fun, one of the quirkiest unusual gifts available has to be the On a Roll – Crime Scene toilet roll. Made from quality toilet tissue, this roll is a fantastic gift for those with an excellent sense of humour. And while this particular unusual gift is probably not ideal for the ladies, there are a number of other designs available, including one covered in kisses, and another that features a picture of the Jolly Roger.
And for those who like their unusual gifts with a little bit of black magic, how about trying the Voodoo Gingerbread Set? Complete with a miniature rolling pin, not to mention a man-shaped biscuit cutter, a recipe card and voodoo instructions, the Voodoo Gingerbread Man is the perfect way to wreak revenge on any deserving man in a way that is not only safe, but is also pretty tasty. Similarly, the Ex-Husband Voodoo Doll could be an excellent treat for any wronged women. Complete with a set of ten needles, the Ex-Husband Voodoo Doll is a great way to get even! A version is also available for ex-wives.
Naturally, this type of voodoo bears no resemblance to the three religions known as Haitian Vodou, West African Vodun and Louisiana Voodoo; a religion that brought the whole phenomenon of voodoo dolls to public consciousness. In any case, the use of a voodoo doll for something akin to malicious witchcraft is reportedly somewhat of a misconception.
How about unusual gifts for animal lovers? What types of unusual gifts are ideally suited to the feline lovers amongst us? Instead of the usual collection of scratching posts, balls and catnip, why not treat the cat-lover of your group to a Control a Cat remote control? While this is possibly one of the most unusual gifts known to man, it could be the only way to make your cat reconsider its desire to rip your furniture to shreds without resorting to a garden hose. We can't guarantee your cat will listen though!
