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The English idiom “Hot to trot” can mean eagerness to start a project or a sexual encounter. Its origin is debated, possibly from the Trotters clan or horse riding. It’s important to use it with caution and consider the context to avoid misinterpretation. It has been referenced in popular culture.
“Hot to trot” is an English idiom that can mean two very different things, depending on the context: it can mean that someone is ready for action and eager to start something like a project or job, or it can be understood as a willingness or enthusiasm for an intimate personal encounter, usually of a sexual nature. Like most idioms, it’s not meant to be taken literally. There is usually no heat or a real trot involved. There is some controversy when it comes to how the expression originated. It could be related to a Scottish clan known as the Trotters who moved frequently due to warring tribes and tensions on the English border, or it could be related to the riding arena, particularly in reference to horses that are warmed up enough to speed up the their pace and win the race, overcome the obstacle or catch the fox. Most linguists do not think that sexual understandings of the term emerged until the late 20th century, although this is also a matter of debate. In general, people who don’t intend to make a sexual reference are usually wise to use this particular idiom with caution, particularly in situations where others may not have enough context to grasp the speaker’s meaning.
Possible Scottish ancestry
One theory as to how this idiom became popular traces its roots back to the Trotters, a clan of Highland Scots who made their main settlement along the English border. In ancient times clans fought a lot across the border and moved their settlements quite frequently both as a means of delaying the enemy and for strategic and attacking advantages. The saying may be in reference to the readiness with which the Trotters were able to change goals and strategies; alternatively, it may also have occurred in reference to the “hot heats”, or the missions clan members were said to go on to recover stolen land and property.
Relation to horse riding
Another theory of origins concerns horse riding. Horses, like people, often need to “warm up” before they are able to run at full speed or reach their maximum physical potential. Trot is one way to describe a horse’s gait; as such, a horse that is “hot to trot” is ready to speed up and do whatever its rider wants. Racehorses often accelerate once this threshold is reached, and hunters and jumpers are usually quick to more aggressively pursue the physical challenges associated with their racetracks.
Potential sexual connotations
In a lewd sense, a person may be described in this idiom as a way of indicating that they are eager to initiate, or very stingy, a lewd activity. Most of the time in these circles “hot” refers to a person’s passion, often in the context of beginning a sexual relationship.
Importance of context
“Hot to trot” is a phrase that is best used among friends and family because it is often necessary to know someone’s background to grasp the intent behind the use. For example, the statement “It’s really hot to trot this morning” made in reference to a woman on her way to work could imply that there is someone at work she is eager to see, or it could mean that she is looking forward to start a new project. In this case, only someone with personal knowledge of the speaker or woman in question would understand the exact meaning. Caution should be exercised in using this phrase, because some people could easily misinterpret the intent behind it and could even interpret it as sexual harassment, particularly when used in the workplace.
References in popular culture
Popular culture references to this phrase are common. An American film of this name depicts a talking horse with a gift for stock collection. The idiom has a double meaning in this title because the main character is eager to get money and to win a girl. Also, the hit song “Too Hot Ta Trot” by The Commodores uses a variation of the phrase with strong sexual connotations. The idiom has also been used as a name for restaurants, bars, and jewelry; it is also the name of a winemaker’s wine blend.
