Why are horses called Gee Gees?

Answered by Tom Adger

Horses being called “Gee Gees” is a term that originated from the world of horse racing. The term is derived from the phrase “gee up,” which is a common command given to horses to encourage them to go faster or move forward. In horse racing, the first horse to come out of the starting gate is often referred to as the “Gee Gee” or the “Gee-Gee.”

The phrase “gee up” itself has a long history and is believed to have originated from the word “gee,” which is an old English term meaning “to go” or “move forward.” It was commonly used as a command to direct horses to turn right. In contrast, the word “haw” was used to direct horses to turn left. Over time, “gee up” became a general command used to urge horses to move forward or go faster.

In the context of horse racing, the term “Gee-Gee” is used to refer to the first horse out of the starting gate because it signifies the horse that is leading the race at the initial stage. This term has been widely used in the horse racing community and has become a colloquialism for horses in general.

It is important to note that the term “Gee Gees” is primarily used in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, where horse racing is a popular sport. In other parts of the world, horses may be referred to by different names or terms.

Additionally, the term “Gee Gees” is not limited to just horse racing. It has also found its way into common language and is sometimes used informally to refer to horses in general. This usage may be influenced by the association of the term with horse racing and the overall popularity of the sport.

Horses are called “Gee Gees” due to the term’s origin in horse racing, where it refers to the first horse out of the starting gate. The term is derived from the command “gee up,” which is used to encourage horses to go faster or move forward. While primarily used in the context of horse racing, the term has also become colloquial and is sometimes used informally to refer to horses in general.