Meaning & Analysis
Literally, this suggests a person has retained a deciduous tooth from their youth, like a young horse (a colt). This is biologically inaccurate for humans and is used figuratively.
Insights
Lingering Youthful Desires
The 'colt's tooth' symbolizes the persistence of youthful desires, impulses, and frivolity into older age. It typically refers to an older person, often a man, who displays inappropriate romantic or wanton inclinations unsuited to their years.
Inappropriate Immaturity
The proverb implies a form of immaturity or a failure to 'cast off' the follies of youth. It suggests that the person has not fully embraced the wisdom and decorum expected of their age, remaining a 'wag' or behaving foolishly.
Resistance to Aging
The phrase can describe a resistance to the natural process of aging. By 'keeping' the colt's tooth, the individual metaphorically refuses to let go of their youth, clinging to behaviors and attitudes from an earlier stage of life.
Agricultural and Animal Symbolism
The proverb uses animal husbandry imagery—a colt's retention of baby teeth—to comment on human behavior. A colt symbolizes untamed, youthful energy and virility, creating a potent and slightly mocking image when applied to an older person, suggesting their vitality has not matured into wisdom.
Psychology of Aging and Social Norms
This proverb reflects a deep-seated societal anxiety about age-inappropriate behavior, particularly concerning desire and frivolity in the elderly. It functions as a form of social critique, using mild ridicule to enforce norms that expect older individuals to be sedate and wise rather than 'wanton and petulant'.
Literary and Dramatic Context
Its use by prominent Renaissance writers like Shakespeare and Lyly highlights its cultural currency in a period fascinated by the humors and character 'types'. It served as a concise literary shorthand to characterize an older figure as foolish, lecherous, or comically out of step with their stage of life.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The 'colt's tooth' serves as a powerful metaphor for youthful folly and desire, using a concrete, rustic image to represent an abstract psychological state.
Irony
There is a distinct irony in the placement of a symbol of youth ('colt's tooth') within a symbol of maturity and wisdom ('head'), highlighting the contradiction in the person's character.
Synecdoche
The single 'tooth' stands in for the entire complex of youthful behaviors, energies, and desires, making the abstract concept tangible and memorable.
Transcription
Quotations
As yf hys coltes teeth in his head were yet stiking.
I had not thought that as yet your coltes tooth stucke in your mouth.
Hee hath beene a wag, but nowe age hath pluckt out all his Coltes teeth.
If he should love her now, as he hath a Colts tooth yet.
To have a colts tooth in ones head. *It is usually spoken of an old man that is wanton and petulant.
(yet, in his old Head).
Shakespeare Citations
Your colt’s tooth is not cast yet.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.