"sat a gee"

Posted by Bob August 06, 2003In reply to "Sat a gee" posted by Bob K on August 06, 2003

Does anyone know the origin of this phrase? It was used by W.S.Gilbert in the Major General's song in Pirates of Penzance.

"Gee" and "haw" are (were? I've never sat a gee) commands to horses, and "gee" was a nickname for a horse in Gilbert's time. So the Major-General has never ridden a horse.