英语词汇caught flat-flooted的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

caught flat-flooted. Americans have only used this expres- sion, meaning “to be caught unprepared,” since about 1910. However, it has been traced to the reign of Queen Anne in En- gland, where it was first applied to horses left at the line after the start of a horse race. These horses weren’t dancing forward on their toes, but had all four feet flat on the ground. In fact, the term flat-footed for someone with little or no hollow in the sole and a low instep, was first used to describe animals afflicted with the condition, especially horses with flat hooves and soles near the ground. Later caught flat-footed must have been a good description for a runner not on his toes and left at the mark when a footrace began, and it was eventually generalized to mean anyone asleep at the switch.

词汇	caught flat-flooted
词源	caught flat-flooted. Americans have only used this expres- sion, meaning “to be caught unprepared,” since about 1910. However, it has been traced to the reign of Queen Anne in En- gland, where it was first applied to horses left at the line after the start of a horse race. These horses weren’t dancing forward on their toes, but had all four feet flat on the ground. In fact, the term flat-footed for someone with little or no hollow in the sole and a low instep, was first used to describe animals afflicted with the condition, especially horses with flat hooves and soles near the ground. Later caught flat-footed must have been a good description for a runner not on his toes and left at the mark when a footrace began, and it was eventually generalized to mean anyone asleep at the switch.
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