gift horse origin

[krodine]

I remember learning in school that the gift horse expression came from the story of the Trojan Horse, a "gift" that brought down the fortified city of Troy.

The Greek Army wasn't having any luck breaking into Troy, so a giant wooden horse was built as a gift to Troy and wheeled inside the city's gates. But the belly of the beast was filled with soldiers who, once inside, slipped out and sacked Troy.
(actually, a better expression from that story would be "always look a gift horse in the mouth" to see what motives might be hidden inside)

[Arnold Winkelried]

I see that krodine had posted the question in the correct forum also. You can see the other thread (which already includes a comment on the statement in the OP) here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=35014).

[C K Dexter Haven]

Rather than have six topics on the same subject, I'm closing this one. Follow the link provided by Arnold.