The Fields Dictionary of Acceptable Terms and Phrases

As learned from such examples as Madagascar and Tasmania, when a set of people or organisms are closed off from the rest of the world, they can mutate and develop into their own unique civilization  As any tribal people, we are sometimes (during foaling season) closed off from the rest of the world.  At Fields Quarter Horses- like any close group of people- we have developed our own, unique dialect and way of communicating with one another. I thought, in the interest of science, that I would share some of these alterations that have occured within the habitat at our farm. Keep in mind, that these are regular phrases in our personal dialect that an outsider may find unusual.

"All Coked Up On Heroin": This phrase is used anytime someone is acting unusual. May be used frequently during periods of sleeplessness (particularly foaling season) as our behavior can become erratic. Origins: Tara works as a Paramedic in a large, inner city setting- people there are often "all coked up on heroin".

"Splain It To Me Lucy": For unknown reasons, sometimes one of us may see a mouth moving but not recognize the language coming from it as our native tongue. Can also be interchanged with "Huh?"

"The Witch Is On Her Broom": I have personally never used this terminology but have "heard" that it is used as a code to inform employees that I may be moving through the barn. I will investigate further before adding it to the Fields Dictionary of Acceptable Terms and Phrases.

"Stud Muffin": This refers to Chevy, who else? Sometimes varies, can also be used as Studly, The Man, or His Royal Highness.

"That's What She Said:" This is repeated no less than 23 times per day at our barn. Will the joke ever get old? Probably not. It still gets no less than 23 laughs per day.

"The Boss": Your guess is as good as mine.

"WTF?": This acronym has several meanings but the most usual is What's That Feed? Yeah, right.

"Hey": This is used for Hello and other usual greetings either on the phone or in person. You know you are one of us when you just get "Hey" when we answer the phone.

"It's Not My Day": This phrase is used in many different situations. It is usually used by someone who is avoiding a duty or task.

"Yeah, Baby": Stolen from Austin Powers, this phrase is most often heard in the indoor arena. It generally denotes that someone has achieved a succesful ride.

"That's Unfortunate": A choice phrase which is appropriate to use whenever we do not know what else to say. This phrase can be used in situations as "I'm getting a divorce".

"Is it Hot in Here or Is It Me?": This phrase is new to our vernacular. Khris has recently begun to use this phrase frequently.

"Circling the Drain": This phrasology is used to indicate that someone or something is failing, faltering, or nearing its end. It may often be heard when used in conjunction with the name of a stall cleaner.

"Look at the size of those balls...": While it may randomly be used around the barn, this phrase is likely to be heard at the favorite Italian Restaurant during lunchtime.

"Flippin, Friggin, Fiddle Fartin": All interchangeable but mean the same- really, really.

"Get Off The Nuclear Warhead": This phrase is used only during riding sessions- usually with an extremely young horse- to denote that someone should dismount quickly

"I'm Hungry": Perhaps the most used phrase at FQH, it may indicate that someone is actually hungry for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. Variations can be found with different terminology- for example, Rachel will often declare "I'm Starving" but the intent is the same.

That is just a brief Rosetta Stone to some of the language which one may find at our farm. Until next time, in the words of Tim Gunn (my favorite male fashionista) "Carry On"!

Khris