Don't Look a Gift-Horse in the Mouth

Name: Don't Look a Gift-Horse in the Mouth
Author: Harry Graham

This collection of perverted proverbs presents humorous twists on familiar sayings, often with a dark or ironic tone. The book's title phrase, for example, suggests that one should be grateful for gifts without questioning their quality. However, the phrase is subverted to imply that one should not look a gift-horse in the mouth because it might bite back.

By Harry Graham · First published 1925 · Genre: Humor, Poetry, Satire · 380 words

First lines

I knew a man who lived down South; / He thought this maxim to defy; / He looked a Gift-horse in the Mouth; / The Gift-horse bit him in the Eye! / And, while the steed enjoyed his bite, / My Southern friend mislaid his sight.

Now, had this foolish man, that day, / Observed the Gift-horse in the _Heel_, / It might have kicked his brains away, / But that's a loss he would not feel; / Because, you see (need I explain? ), / My Southern friend has got no brain.

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Don't Look a Gift-Horse in the Mouth is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1925 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Harry Graham
Date: 1925 CE
Language: English
Genres: Humor, Poetry, Satire, Parody, Literary Criticism
Length: 380 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Humor — The work employs wit and satire to subvert traditional proverbs, creating a comedic effect.
Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, albeit with intentional irregularities for comedic purposes.
Satire — The work critiques societal norms and human behavior through exaggerated and humorous reinterpretations of common sayings.
Parody — It mimics the style of proverbial wisdom literature, but with a twist that undermines the original messages.