After Hagrid’s return to Hogwarts
Harry, Ron and Hermione go and visit him in his cottage. He tells them about
his journey during which he was supposed to meet giants and convince them to
support Dumbledore in his fight against Voldemort. He informs the three that
Voldemort’s supporters – the Death Eaters - have been there as well. Hermione
is quick to jump to the conclusion that the Death Eaters must have succeeded in
their quest but Hagrid tells her, to hold her Hippogriffs, because he has not
finished his story yet.[1]
Deriving
from the proverb ‘hold your horses’ this phrase is “used to tell someone to
stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something.” It
first appeared in Homer’s Iliad in
which Antilochus is driving threateningly fast during a chariot race.[2]
The exclamation ‘hold your horses’ thus, can be taken literally as an advice to
be more cautious and not rush it. Its meaning has since then extended to include
all actions and conclusions which should not be rushed. The first time it has
been used as proverb was in 1844 in the New Orleans newspaper Picayune which wrote: “Oh, hold your
hosses, Squire. There’s no use gettin’ riled, no how.”[3]
Once
again horses have been substituted by Hippogriffs which are more popular within
the wizarding community. Due to their height and strength Hippogriffs are as difficult to hold and control as horses. Even if Hermione
had no knowledge of the phrase she could deduce the meaning of it due to Hagrid’s
explanation that he has not finished his story yet.
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