ride a horse foaled of an acorn

ride a horse foaled of an acorn

obsolete To be publicly executed, especially by hanging in the gallows. A nickname for the gallows in Georgian England was the "wooden mare," as they were often made of oak; hence they were "foaled of" (grown from) acorns, the nuts of oak trees. Many a knave has been sent to ride a horse foaled of an acorn for less than the crime of which you have been accused, my young fellow.

See also: acorn, an, foal, horse, of, ride

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