to see the elephant

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

is a South-western phrase, and means, generally, to undergo any disappointment of high-raised expectations. It is in fact nearly or quite synonymous with the ancient "go out for wool and come back shorn." For instance, men who have volunteered for the Mexican war, expecting to reap lots of glory and enjoyment, but instead have found only sickness, fatigue, privations, and suffering, are currently said to have 'seen the elephant.' I do not remember having ever fallen in with a good origin for the term in this employment of it. [Inman.]


A man, being brought before the Recorder in New Orleans, charged with being found drunk the previous night, after appealing to the court, closed with the following remarks:

Spare my feelings, Squire, and don't ask me to tell any more. Here I am in town without a rock in my pocket, without a skirt to my coat or crown to my hat; but, Squire, I'll say no more, I've seen the elephant." The Recorder let him off on condition that he would leave town, as he confessed he had seen the elephant.--Pickings from the Picayune.

Although the merchants from the South and west may buy goods in Philadelphia, all find their way to New York to spend their pocket-money, buy brass watches at the mock auctions, and see the elephant generally.--Phila. Cor. of the N. Y. Tribune.

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

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