Origin of Phrases - P
Play The Field
This common dating expression is another product of gambling. Horse racing attracts all kinds of gamblers, from the confidant ones who bet only on one horse to the more cautious ones who spread their bets around to cover most of the horse. The gamblers who bet on multiple horses are looking to reduce their risk and hope that in the end their winnings will be more than their losses. The people at the windows call this playing the field.