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several words by a male host
to tap on
Nov 9, 2015 22:18
9 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

backseat-steering

English Other Other
LUKAS: Come on, horses!
OLIVIA: Axel, stop backseat-steering!
AXEL: I can’t help it! I’m getting horse-sick!
MAGNUS: Woo-hoo! This is awesome!
ELLIE: This is the worst ride of my life!

I wonder if this just means riding a horse sitting backwards? Or something else, probably?
Responses
2 +7 Phrase is "backseat driving"
4 allusion to classic problems when travelling in a motor vehicle

Discussion

Andrew Vdovin (asker) Nov 10, 2015:
No, everything's clear now, thank you.
Taña Dalglish Nov 10, 2015:
Given all the inputs and explanations, is there something else bothering you, as you appear to be questioning the use of certain words?
Andrew Vdovin (asker) Nov 10, 2015:
Just the horses. And the riders.
Taña Dalglish Nov 10, 2015:
@ Andrew I am not sure what you are questioning? Is there any mention of the use of a carriage of some kind, or just the horses themselves? I've ridden practically all my life, and yes you "steer" the horse, but you can also "drive" the horse, e.g. forward with the use of the seat and legs (term in the equestrian world). It does not mean more speed but rather a schooling method used to create impulsion. http://americashorsedaily.com/striding-right/#.VkHVvLerS00 (The horse goes from carrying his body in a longer, extended frame, to a shorter frame where he carries himself higher off the ground. The shorter frame comes from a slightly shortened rein along with “push” from your lower leg and seat to drive the horse up. You teach the horse to drive up into more collection.). HTH.
Andrew Vdovin (asker) Nov 10, 2015:
To me, you STEER a horse sitting in the saddle, but you DRIVE a horse sitting in the coachman's seat or something... Or is it just me?
B D Finch Nov 10, 2015:
horse-sick Just a variation on being car-sick. Note that horses can't vomit: something to do with the length of their necks. So, "sick as a horse" uses the US meaning of "sick" (BR:EN = ill).
Andrew Vdovin (asker) Nov 10, 2015:
No, they're just riding very quickly in a certain direction, having to maneuver from time to time since there is no path.
Arabic & More Nov 10, 2015:
What are they doing on the horses? Are they rounding up cattle? As I mentioned below, "steering" could be a double-reference to something like steer-roping or another activity involving cattle/steers.
Andrew Vdovin (asker) Nov 9, 2015:
They ARE all riding horses in this episode.

Responses

+7
11 mins
Selected

Phrase is "backseat driving"

The phrase to the best of my knowledge is "backseat driving/or a "backseat driver"

A backseat driver is a passenger in a vehicle who is not controlling the vehicle but who excessively comments on the driver's actions and decisions in an attempt to control the vehicle.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=backseat driv...
1. a passenger in the back seat of the car who criticizes the driver
2. anyone who offers unwanted advice
Stop being such a backseat driver. You will only make things worse.

Has nothing to do with horses!

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Note added at 13 mins (2015-11-09 22:32:18 GMT)
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Nor have I heard "horse-sick".

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-slang-s.html
Sick As A Horse - 'I'm as sick as a horse,' exceedingly sick.

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Note added at 14 mins (2015-11-09 22:33:03 GMT)
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Of course, this could all be a play on words ....

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Note added at 1 hr (2015-11-09 23:47:47 GMT)
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Given your further explanation which we did not have the benefit of before, the idea that there are two people on one horse, is probable, and the one in the rear is being a typical "back seat driver" (mouthing off). As Robin and Tony M have stated, "horse-sick" is by analogy with "car-sick" (motion sickness). Regards.

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Note added at 6 days (2015-11-16 12:51:12 GMT) Post-grading
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Thank you.
Note from asker:
They ARE all riding horses in this episode. Your explanation makes me believe there are two of them sitting on one horse, the one sitting at the back is "back-steering" which annoys the one at the front.
Peer comment(s):
agree Jennifer Levey : I agree with most of your analysis (I hate to say it, but 'mother-in-law' came instantly to mind when I read the question...); but if Asker's context is from the stage-coach era the reference to horses will likely be valid.
5 mins
Thanks Robin.
agree Tony M : Yes, and horse-sick, by analogy with 'car-sick'.
31 mins
Many thanks Tony. The asker has provided some additional information (They ARE all riding horses in episode. Your explanation makes me believe there are two of them sitting on one horse, the one sitting at the back is "back-steering" which annoys other).
agree Jack Doughty
43 mins
Thanks so much Jack.
agree Jean-Claude Gouin : I agree with you Taña ... but the asker states that two people are on a single horse!? Even if this is the case, I would still say 'back-seat driver' or 'back-seat driving' ...
1 hr
Thank you 1045. I agree or using a play on words "back-seat rider".
agree Arabic & More : Perhaps it is a double reference to steer roping as well (please disregard my earlier comment):https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steer_roping
6 hrs
Thank you Amel. Anything is possible.
agree acetran
1 day 9 hrs
Thank you.
agree Phong Le
4 days
Thank you Phong Le.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks everybody!!!"
48 mins

allusion to classic problems when travelling in a motor vehicle

There are two deliberate mis-quotes of terms associated with travel in a motor car or (omni)bus:
- Back-seat steering, as in 'back-seat driving' (although one also talks about 'driving' horses in the same way as one can 'drive' a herd of cattle; think about John Wayne, or Bonanza - if your memory goes back that far...).
- Horse-sick', as in 'car-sick', referring to the tendency of some folk to vomit as a result of the unsteady motion of a motor car.
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