Historical Idioms, the French Legation, and Annie Oakley

Vocabulary and key term flashcards based on articles about horse idioms in the English language, Austin's historic French Legation, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley.

Trojan Horse

A historical and literary reference to a structure that allowed the Greeks to gain surreptitious entry into the walls of Troy.

Stalking Horse (Hunting)

A horse behind which hunters concealed themselves to attack prey that avoided humans but was not bothered by livestock.

Stalking Horse (Business)

A decoy company used during a hostile takeover to test the waters for an anonymous third party that might be damaged by a high-profile failure.

Stalking Horse (Politics)

A candidate who acts on behalf of another by splitting votes or acting as a trial balloon to gauge support for a new candidacy.

Dark Horse

A lesser-known or unexpected candidate who competes in an electoral campaign against prominent figures.

Horsepower

A unit of engine power introduced by James Watt in 1782, defined by the standard ratio of $33{,}000\text{ foot pounds per minute}$.

Charley Horse

A leg muscle injury named after 1880s baseball pitcher Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn after he pulled up lame while rounding third base.

French Legation

The oldest home in Austin, Texas, constructed in a French-style Creole cottage design to serve as a diplomatic residence.

Alphonse Dubois

France's chargé d'affaires sent by King Louis Philippe who bought 22 acres in Austin in 1840 to build a diplomatic residence.

War of the Pigs

A dispute sparked by innkeeper Richard Bullock's pigs invading Alphonse Dubois's home, leading Dubois to leave his post and Texas.

Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT)

The governing body granted custodianship of the French Legation, which restored the site and opened it to the public in 1956.

Hip Tub

A small 19th-century bathtub displayed in the French Legation kitchen that was used weekly by an entire family in turn.

Annie Oakley

Born Phoebe Ann Moses, she was a renowned sharpshooter, entertainer, and America's first female superstar.

Frank Butler

A traveling sharpshooter who lost a contest to Annie Oakley, married her, and subsequently retired from show business to manage her career.

"Annie Oakleys"

A theatrical slang term for free complimentary tickets with punched holes, named after the hole-punched playing cards shot by Annie Oakley.