horse sense

noun

1. common sense.

horse sense

noun

1. another term for common sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of horse sense¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

Sound practical sense, as in She's got too much horse sense to believe his story . The exact allusion in this term, which dates from the mid-1800s, is disputed, since some regard horses as rather stupid. However, they tended to be viewed more positively in the American West, where the term originated.

Example Sentences

(Despite such horse sense, today Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia allow loaded guns in bars).

From The Daily Beast

Maybe it's just a deep distrust of common horse-sense and a faith in expertise.

From The Daily Beast

Taking first the head, which should be bony, not fleshy, remember that the more brain the more horse sense.

From Project Gutenberg

He was endowed with strong common sense, which the pike boys called “horse sense,” to emphasize its excellence.

From Project Gutenberg

"If you're goin' ter talk ter me, you've got ter talk plain horse sense," he declared testily.

From Project Gutenberg

He has too much horse-sense in spite of his emotional gymnastics.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't know whether I think that is anything but horse-sense.

From Project Gutenberg