Origin of Phrases - D
Dark Horse
Elections have long been seen as being similar to horse racing since no one knows for sure who will win. But everyone has a favorite. Legend has it that Sam Flynn of Tennessee made a living by racing a coal-black stallion named Dusky Pete. Flynn would ride Pete into a strange town as though the animal was an ordinary saddle horse. Not knowing they faced a champion racer, local men would happily set up races - and lose. Today, people refer to an unknown who shows a chance of winning as a dark horse.