“Ride hard and stow wet” is a phrase from the southern and western United States that refers to a person who looks exhausted or ill. It comes from horse riding, where horses need to be cooled down before being put back in the stable. The phrase can also imply neglect or abuse, but it can also be a compliment for someone’s strength and endurance. It has been used in popular culture, but some people mistakenly assume it has a sexual connotation.
The expression “ride hard and stow wet” refers to a person who appears exhausted or ill. “Ridden hard and wet” is another variation of the same phrase. The expression comes from the southern and western United States. The earliest use of the term is uncertain; it was already in relatively widespread use by the mid-20th century.
The phrase itself comes from horse riding. When a horse is forced to run fast, it sweats. Before being put back in the stable, he should be allowed to cool down the last part of his journey. Even after arriving, you may need to walk a little further to cool off. The rider should remove saddles and other tack and give the horse a small amount of water. Once the horse is somewhat rested, the rider or groom grooms the horse before leading it back to the stable.
Horses that do not receive this treatment can suffer from a variety of ailments. Chills and muscle stiffness can result from being left wet. Horses also often become short-tempered and resentful if left unattended.
By analogy, then, a person who is “ridden hard and stowed wet” looks battered, tired and unhappy, just like a horse that has been subjected to the same treatment. The expression also has a secondary meaning which implies that the person has been neglected or abused. The phrase can be used to refer to a single instance of this occurrence in the case of a person who has had a tiring and difficult experience. It can also refer to a person who habitually looks tired and disheveled, such as an insomniac. In some cases, it can also be a compliment, describing someone whose rugged appearance testifies to his strength and endurance.
The phrase “ride hard and stow wet” is common in popular culture. Tennessee country and western singer and comedian Ernie Ford used it as a catchphrase in the 1950s, and pop-punk band Diesel Boy used the phrase as their album title in 2001. Actors June Raphael and Casey Wilson called the their two-woman comedy show “Rode Hard and Put Away Wet.” Due to the popularity of some other euphemisms involving horse riding, some people incorrectly assume that the phrase has a sexual connotation. As a result, it also appeared as an adult film title in 1998.
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