Seeing the Elephant

 

Last month, Captain Cavedweller and I stopped by a museum where we heard a phrase that was quite popular with miners during the gold rush, the Civil War, and pioneers on the Oregon. 

That phrase was "Seeing the Elephant." 

Have you heard it before?

It was new to us, so I did a little research.

The phrase is labeled as an Americanism, referring to gaining experience at a significant cost. The phrase gained in popularity in the mid 1800s and lasted through the late 19th century. 

Journals and diaries made not of "seeing the elephant" which was often to say they had been filled with excitement and anticipation only to find great disappointment in the end. 

“I have just returned from the diggings a wiser if not a sadder man. I have ‘seen the Elephant’ and am now returning to the regions of civilization with a trustful hope that greed of gain will never tempt me again to endure hardships and dangers.”

Miner, 1849

The exact origin of the phrase is somewhat murky. Some historians claims it goes back to an Asian elephant display in New York City in the late 1700s which was reportedly the first live elephant exhibit in America. It drew visitors from all over who were anxious to "see the elephant." 

Others claim the phrase originated in a Philadelphia theatre where a makeshift elephant with a man inside to control the movements gained a popular viewing. One night, as the story goes, the man got so drunk, he walked the elephant off the stage and into the music pit, which earned much laughter with people asking their friends if they had "seen the elephant?"

Another story goes back to the time of Alexander the Great's Macedonian warriors who defeated an elephant mounted army in the Indus Valley. It's thought that "seeing the elephant" referred to exotic experiences and journeys in far-off places. 

And a fun origin story is about a farmer who, upon hearing the circus had come to town, set out in his wagon with a load of vegetables and eggs to sell. Along the way, he encountered the circus parade led by an elephant. The elephant terrorized his horses so badly, the bolted and overturned the wagon, scattering his goods in the roadway. According to lore, the farmer picked himself up and said, "I don't give a hang, I have seen the elephant." 

Whatever the origin, the phrase was especially popular with those traveling the Oregon and California trails. The elephant was "seen" during bad weather, after wagons ran over family members, when people died, at river crossings, and when the pioneer had their first glimpse of the trials ahead. The elephant was discussed in terms of their excitement for outcome of the journey.

The elephant was "seen" at river crossings, during bad weather, after wagons ran over family members, after deaths, and especially at a pioneer's first glimpse of one of many roadblocks in the trail ahead. The emigrants discussed the elephant in terms of their excitement for the outcome of their upcoming journey.

I think I need to find a way to incorporate this phrase into one of my historical books. 

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.