If any reader has had the privilege of seeing a deer leave in a hurry, they'll know what I'm talking about. The phrase may have migrated West with the pioneers, who were certainly acquainted with the behavior of the white tails they knew in the Eastern states.
: : : : I hate to disagree with such authorities as the Morrises, but I am convinced that the phrase originated with the white tail deer, whose short, sturdy tails are white on the underside, and raised high when fleeing as a danger sign to other deer in the area. : : : : : May also have something to do with the fact that tails are raised when in flight : : : : "HIGHTAIL - a slang expression meaning 'to leave in a great hurry,' is a Western expression and was originally used to describe the way a herd of mustangs will break and race away when 'spooked' or frightened by the approach of cowboys." From Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988). : : : : I believe it comes from watching deer run away from danger. : : : : : Where does the phrase high tail it come from? As in my mom used to say, You had better high tail it home right now. In Reply to: Hightail it posted by ESC on December 23, 2000
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