If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
- If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride is an English proverb which is usually used to suggest that it is useless to wish; that better results will be achieved through action.
Origin
It is speculated that the proverb may have originated in Scotland, though its earliest documented use is from England. The line dates back at least to the 1670s, when John Ray published his Collection of Proverbs. [ [http://www.rhymes.org.uk/a117-if-wishes-were-horses.htm If Wishes were Horses nursery rhyme lyrics, origins and history ] ] Later the proverb appeared as part of a Mother Goose nursery rhyme:
cquote
If wishes were horses then beggars would ride,
If turnips were swords I'd have one by my side.
If 'ifs' and 'ands' were pots and pans
There would be no need for tinkers' hands!
Use
The proverb may be used to mock a wishful attitude by pointing out the uselessness of wishing. It may be also be used with a more serious tone as an admonishment, for the same purpose.
Alternatives
* Because of its popularity, this proverb can usually be shortened to "If wishes were horses..." The conclusion is well known enough to be assumed.
* A popular variant is "If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets."
* A vulgar American variation is the following: "Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one fills up quicker."
* The 1971 Broadway musical "Inner City," devised and directed by Tom O'Horgan from Eve Merriam's book "The Inner City Mother Goose," included a song that began: "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride, and rich man and poor man in peace would abide." This short-lived show featured Linda Hopkins, Delores Hall, Paulette Ellen Jones and Carl Hall, among others. [ [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=3629 Internet Broadway Database: Inner City Production Credits ] ]
Notes
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if wishes were horses, beggars would ride — a 1628 J. CARMICHAELL Proverbs in Scots no. 140 And [if] wishes were horses pure [poor] men wald ryde. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 178 If Wishes were Horses, Beggars would ride. 1844 J. O. HALLIWELL Nursery Rhymes of England (ed. 4) 501 If… … Proverbs new dictionary
if wishes were horses, beggars would ride — ► if wishes were horses, beggars would ride proverb if you could achieve your aims simply by wishing for them, life would be very easy. Main Entry: ↑wish … English terms dictionary
if wishes were horses, beggars would ride — This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it … The small dictionary of idiomes
if wishes were horses, beggars would ride — proverb if you could achieve your aims simply by wishing for them, life would be very easy * * * if wishes were ˌhorses, beggars would/might ˈride idiom (saying) wishing for sth does not make it happen Main entry: ↑wishidiom … Useful english dictionary
if wishes were horses, beggars might ride — if wishes were ˌhorses, beggars would/might ˈride idiom (saying) wishing for sth does not make it happen Main entry: ↑wishidiom … Useful english dictionary
if wishes were horses, beggars would ride — This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
If Wishes Were Horses — ST episode name = If Wishes Were Horses Rumpelstiltskin series = DS9 ep num = 16 prod num = 416 date = May 16, 1993 writer = Nell McCue Crawford William L. Crawford Michael Piller director = Robert Legato guest = Keone Young as Buck Bokai… … Wikipedia
ride — see if you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus set a beggar on horseback, and he’ll ride to the devil if two ride on a horse, one must ride behind if wishes were horses, beggars would ride he who rides a tiger is afraid… … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
wish — ► VERB 1) desire something that cannot or probably will not happen. 2) want to do something. 3) ask (someone) to do something or that (something) be done. 4) express a hope that (someone) has (happiness, success, etc.). 5) (wish on) hope that… … English terms dictionary
