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Linguistics

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What Does "Rode Hard and Put Away Wet" Mean?

By J.E. Holloway
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 106,360
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The expression "rode hard and put away wet" refers to a person who looks worn out or unwell. "Ridden hard and put up wet" is another variation on the same phrase. The expression originates from the southern and western United States. The first use of the term is uncertain; it was already in relatively widespread use by the mid-20th century.

The phrase itself is derived from horseback riding. When a horse is forced to run quickly, it works up a sweat. Before being put back into the stable, it should be allowed to cool down by walking the last part of its journey. Even after arrival, it may need to be allowed to walk a bit more to cool down. The rider should remove saddles and other tack and give the horse a small amount of water. Once the horse is somewhat rested, the rider or groom rubs the horse down before returning it to the stable.

Horses that do not receive this treatment can suffer from a number of complaints. Chills and muscle stiffness can result from being left damp. Horses also frequently become bad-tempered and resentful if left untended.

By analogy, then, a person who is "rode hard and put away wet" seems ill-conditioned, tired out and unhappy, much like a horse that has undergone the same treatment. The expression also has a secondary meaning implying that the person has been neglected or mistreated. The phrase can be used to refer to a single instance of this appearance in the case of a person who has had a tiring and difficult experience. It can also refer to a person who habitually appears weary and disheveled, such as an insomniac. In some cases, it can even be a compliment, describing someone whose rugged appearance testifies to his or her toughness and endurance.

The phrase "rode hard and put away wet" is common in popular culture. Country and western singer and comedian Tennessee Ernie Ford used it as a catch phrase in the 1950s and pop-punk band Diesel Boy used the phrase as an album title in 2001. Actors June Raphael and Casey Wilson named their two-woman comedy show "Rode Hard and Put Away Wet." Due to the popularity of some other euphemisms involving riding, some people incorrectly assume that the phrase has a sexual connotation. As a result, it also appeared as the title of an adult film in 1998.

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Discussion Comments
By anon1002463 — On Nov 25, 2019

As a new citizen of Canada, I hadn't heard the expression until a female colleague said, 'I feel like I've been ridden hard and put away wet.". Being English and not having heard the expression before, I thought she was saying she felt like she had loads of sex but was still ready for more, such is the British mindset.

Thank God I didn't react to what I thought she said.

By bear78 — On Sep 26, 2012

I feel rode hard and put away wet at my job. I've been working overtime every week for the past month. I don't get overtime pay and my boss is a pain in the butt. He is always yelling at me to do things. I just don't feel appreciated and it shows on my face. People have been asking me why I look so miserable lately. I just hate my job.

By donasmrs — On Sep 25, 2012

@simrin-- Yea, I guess it might be difficult for people to understand if they haven't been around horses. I live on a farm with many horses, so I completely understand what this expression means. It's so straightforward and logical when you know about how horses are taken care of.

We ride our horses on the weekends usually and they really do sweat when they run a lot. What we do is we let them hang out and walk around the stable to cool down. We also have towels for them and we literally absorb the sweat off their bodies so that they don't get cold. It's sort of like when a child sweats after playing and you have to change his shirt to make sure he doesn't get the chills.

Once my brother put our one horse in the stable without doing this and she was ill for a whole week after that. The veterinarian had to give her antibiotics.

By SteamLouis — On Sep 24, 2012

It's unsurprising that "ride hard and put away wet" is sometimes used with sexual connotation these days. It's bound to happen when people don't know about the origins of expressions and idioms and let their imagination run wild. It's also not as popular as it used to be. I used to hear people using it more often when I was growing up, but I rarely hear it nowadays.

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