# Origins of the phrase "Stalking Horse"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-phrase-stalking-horse/41499>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 16, 2000, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-phrase-stalking-horse/41499 "2000-11-16T19:23:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-phrase-stalking-horse/41499/1 "2000-11-16T19:23:10Z")

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Does anyone know the origins of the phrase “stalking horse”.

It usually used in the context of buying or bidding for an item, the stalking horse bidder being the first bidder.

Any help with the origins of the saying?

Help!

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**Author:** ![Jingo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Jingo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jingo)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-phrase-stalking-horse/41499/2 "2000-11-16T19:49:55Z")

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Try this:  
[http://www.bartleby.com/81/15829.html](http://www.bartleby.com/81/15829.html)

For others, try typing “stalking horse” in google.

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-phrase-stalking-horse/41499/3 "2000-11-16T22:39:05Z")

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Thanks!

Excellent resource!