horse marine

American  

noun

1. (formerly) a marine mounted on horseback or a cavalryman doing duty on shipboard.

2. a person out of their proper or natural place.

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horse marine British  

noun

1. (formerly) a mounted marine or cavalryman serving in a ship

2. someone out of his natural element, as if a member of an imaginary body of marine cavalry

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Etymology

Origin of horse marine

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

"But if, on the other hand, nobody came near me all day long save a horse marine of a landlady armed with a bottle of squills, with the request that I go to bed until I felt better, why then I'd be a well man in just seven and a half minutes, dancing the tango, and challenging all the rheumaticky old beaux about the place to a hundred yards' dash for the fifteenth turkey trot with the little widow at the Saturday night hop."

From Project Gutenberg

Another caricature, published by T. Sidebotham, in 1817, bearing the title of The Horse Marine and his Trumpeter in a Squall, is dedicated to the United Service Club.

From Project Gutenberg

“Horse Marine and his Trumpeter,” 91.

From Project Gutenberg

"Horse Marine."—You say you are intrigued about The Evening News poster, which announced "Asquith on a moratorium," and you are curious to know more about this animal.

From Project Gutenberg

"I tell you what it is, Master Charley—you horse marine,—I have a great mind to cut you out, and have Miss Flora myself."

From Project Gutenberg