warhorse, a (an old)
warhorse
n. a tough old thing, person, or idea. What time does the old warhorse’s train get in, and how long is she staying this time?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
warhorse, a (an old)
An experienced veteran; also, a reliably popular attraction. This term originated in the mid-seventeenth century, when it literally meant a battle-scarred military charger. By the nineteenth century it had been transferred to experienced officers, such as the Confederate General James Longstreet, who was nicknamed the War Horse, as well as to veterans of political and other struggles. Using the second meaning, in 1990 a New York Times music critic wrote, “The first half of the orchestral program consisted of warhorses.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- high old time
- have a rare old time
- geezer
- old college try, (give it) the
- any old
- make old bones
- of old
- old cobber
- as old as my eyes and a little (bit) older than my teeth
- crate